India Restarts Oil Imports From Iran After Seven Years Due To Disruptions In Supplies

The Oil Ministry in India has announced that India has bought crude oil from Iran for the first time since May 2019 due to the disruption in supplies due to the Middle East conflict.

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The ministry said Indian refiners have secured crude supplies, including cargoes from Iran, and confirmed that there are no payment-related hurdles for these imports. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, had stopped buying Iranian oil in 2019 due to sanctions imposed by the United States.

U.S. Sanctions Relief Enables Trade

This restart is preceded by a temporary easing of sanctions against Iran’s oil exports and processed petroleum products imposed by the U.S. government in March 2026 to ease the shortage of fuel supplies worldwide.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that Indian companies have flexibility in sourcing crude oil from over 40 countries, depending on commercial considerations. It added that India has secured its full crude oil requirement for the coming months.

LPG Cargo Received At Mangalore Port

In addition to crude imports, India has also received 44,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran. The cargo was delivered on a sanctioned vessel that berthed at Mangalore port on April 2 and is currently discharging, according to the ministry.

Background Of Import Suspension

Since May 2019, India has not bought oil from Iran owing to the U.S. withdrawal of sanctions waivers previously granted for partial purchases by the nation. The recent political events that are likely to influence the transport of oil via shipping routes, especially due to disturbances at the Strait of Hormuz, have brought about a change in the sourcing strategy.

This decision confirms that the government's oil procurement sources have been expanded so as to ensure an uninterrupted flow of oil in case of uncertainties prevailing globally.