India has seized three U.S.-sanctioned tankers linked to Iran this month while expanding maritime surveillance to curb illicit trade. The vessels frequently changed identities to evade law enforcement as India aims to prevent ship-to-ship transfers that obscure oil cargo origins.

The seizures follow improved U.S.-India relations, with Washington cutting import tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% after New Delhi agreed to stop Russian oil imports. Indian authorities deployed approximately 55 ships and 10-12 aircraft for round-the-clock surveillance in maritime zones.

Two of the seized tankers have direct links to Iran, with Al Jafzia carrying fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti and Stellar Ruby flagged in Iran. The vessels' owners operate overseas, capitalizing on complex ownership structures that complicate enforcement of international sanctions.