'Baseless, No Such Discussion': Govt Dismisses Reports On 'Tanker Swap' Deal Between India, Iran

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 23:03 IST

New Delhi, however, continues to navigate the increasingly volatile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is now closed and effectively controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guards

India on Monday dismissed reports in the media about a “tanker swap" deal with Iran to facilitate the passage of its own vessels amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade in the ongoing Iran war.

Calling the reports “baseless", the Centre said there have been no such talks with Iran, government sources said. New Delhi continues to navigate the increasingly volatile situation in the Strait of Hormuz – a key energy artery – which is now closed and effectively controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“This report is baseless. There has been no discussion of this nature between Indian and Iranian authorities. In any case, the three vessels are not Iranian owned," the sources said. 

WHAT DID THE REPORTS CLAIM?

According to the media reports, Iran proposed a deal: the release of three tankers detained by Indian authorities in exchange for the guaranteed safe passage of Indian-flagged or India-bound commercial ships.

The reports claimed that the three vessels in question – Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia, and Stellar Ruby – were seized by India in February on charges that they had concealed or altered their identities to engage in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea.

The reports claimed that while the Stellar Ruby is Iranian-flagged, the other two vessels carry the flags of Nicaragua and Mali. An Iranian official indicated that Tehran was also seeking supplies of specific medicines and medical equipment as part of these discussions.

WHAT IS INDIA DOING FOR SAFE PASSAGE OF SHIPS?

Despite the absence of a formal “blanket arrangement" for all Indian vessels, New Delhi is successfully maintaining its trade flows by managing transits on a “case-by-case basis".

Earlier in the day, during an internal briefing on the LPG situation, the central government said at least three ships – Shivalik, Jag Laadki, and Nanda Devi – were on their way to Indian ports.

On Monday, Indian LPG carrier Shivalik, transporting approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of LPG, safely reached Gujarat’s Mundra port after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. To ensure the continuity of energy supplies, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has implemented special measures.

Special secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha said priority berthing and expedited documentation were arranged for the Shivalik to ensure there was no delay in discharging its cargo. Similarly, the Indian-flagged Jag Laadki is currently en route to India from the UAE, carrying 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil without incident while the Nanda Devi is also expected to dock at the Kandla port on Tuesday, March 17.

Speaking to the Financial Times, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India prefers to “reason and coordinate" with Iranian authorities rather than resort to confrontation or disengagement. He said these diplomatic efforts are “already yielding some results", allowing for the safe movement of India-bound vessels.

The shipping ministry said 611 Indian seafarers are currently working aboard 22 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf. Officials have confirmed that all personnel remain safe, with no maritime incidents reported in the last 24 hours.

News india 'Baseless, No Such Discussion': Govt Dismisses Reports On 'Tanker Swap' Deal Between India, Iran

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