India has purchased Iranian oil for the first time in seven years, as Middle East tensions disrupt supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the government said on Saturday.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Indian refiners have secured crude oil supplies, including imports from Iran, without facing any payment-related issues.
The world’s third-largest oil importer had not received shipments from Tehran since May 2019, after pressure from the United States led India to halt purchases of Iranian crude. However, recent disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israel conflict have significantly strained supplies.
“Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there are no payment hurdles,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Last month, the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to address global supply shortages.
The ministry added that India has already secured its full crude oil requirements for the coming months. It also emphasized that Indian companies have the flexibility to source oil from more than 40 countries based on commercial considerations.
In addition to crude oil, India has imported 44,000 metric tons of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), transported on a sanctioned vessel. The shipment arrived at the western port city of Mangalore on Wednesday and is currently being unloaded.