India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019.
Indian refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the Middle East conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil ministry said on Saturday.
The world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, India has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019, following US pressure not to buy Iranian crude, but supply disruptions from the war have hit the country.
“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 of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on X.
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
Last month, the United States temporarily removed sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to ease supply shortages.
India has secured its full requirements of crude oil for the coming months, the ministry added.
“India imports crude oil from 40-plus countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations.”
