India's shipping ministry has permitted four Iranian oil tankers to dock at Sikka port, a significant development as the country has not imported Iranian crude since May 2019 due to U.S. sanctions. The decision follows a temporary waiver from the U.S. on sanctions related to Iranian oil purchases, aimed at stabilizing global oil prices. The vessels, including the Comoros-flagged aframax Kaviz and the Curacao-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) Lenore, along with two Iran-flagged VLCCs, Felicity and Hedy, are all over 20 years old and typically require special permissions under Indian maritime regulations. Reliance Industries, which operates the world's largest refining complex, requested the exemption due to an emergency situation created by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the granted permission, it remains uncertain whether Reliance will process the Iranian oil to ensure compliance with sanctions and Indian regulations. Notably, Indian Oil Corporation has previously purchased Iranian oil using a sanctioned tanker.