Indian refiners have bought Iranian crude amid Middle East fighting that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on April 4, 2026. The ministry said refiners have “secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran,” and that “there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports,” posting the statement on X on that date.
India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not taken a cargo from Tehran since May 2019 after pressure from the United States discouraged purchases. The ministry said, however, that companies retain full commercial flexibility and that India has secured its full crude requirements for the coming months.
The ministry also pushed back against reports that an Iranian cargo bound for Vadinar was diverted to China because of payment problems. In its April 4, 2026 X post the ministry called such news and social posts “factually incorrect,” adding that India imports crude from more than 40 countries and firms can source oil from different suppliers and geographies based on commercial considerations.
Separately, the ministry confirmed India purchased 44,000 metric tons of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas loaded on a sanctioned vessel that berthed at the western port of Mangalore on April 1, 2026. The ministry said the vessel is discharging the fuel.
The developments follow a temporary U.S. easing of sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products in March 2026, a move Washington said was aimed at relieving global supply shortages. For India, access to Iranian barrels and LPG — alongside supplies from a broad set of suppliers — appears to be part of steps taken by refiners and the government to shield the country from disruptions in Middle East shipping lanes.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iran-israel-war-oil-sanctions-us-india-makes-first-iranian-oil-purchase-in-7-years-with-no-payment-hurdle-11312289#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-04-05 00:20:00
