US-Sanctioned Iranian Oil Tanker Diverts To China, India’s First Import Since 2019 Faces Payment & Sanctions Roadblocks

Mumbai: A US-sanctioned oil tanker carrying Iranian crude has suddenly changed its destination from India to China. The Aframax tanker Ping Shun, which had earlier signalled Vadinar in Gujarat as its destination, is now indicating Dongying in China, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler. The vessel, built in 2002 and sanctioned in 2025, was expected to deliver around 600,000 barrels of crude oil to India. Its estimated arrival date at Vadinar was April 4. First Import in Seven Years Put on Hold If the shipment had reached India, it would have been the first Iranian crude import by the country since…