After a gap of 7 years, Indian refiners have purchased crude oil from Iran amid the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The development was confirmed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday (4th April). Since May 2019, India has not been buying Iranian oil due to US sanctions, which were lifted by the US last month.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas debunked the rumours on social media of Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar (India) to China due to payment issues. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the Ministry said that the claims were factually incorrect. “The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India, to China due to ‘payment issues'” are factually incorrect…Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports,” the Ministry said.
The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to “payment issues” are factually incorrect. 🇮🇳India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources…
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) April 4, 2026
The Ministry further clarified that India sources crude oil from over 40 countries, and the Indian refiners have a choice to buy oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations. It added that on-sea cargoes can have destination mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility.
The Ministry assured that India’s crude oil requirements are fully secured for the coming months. “On LPG too, some claims being made are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India on April 2 and is currently discharging,” it added.
