April 4 (Reuters) - 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 U.S. pressure not to buy Iranian ⁠crude, but supply disruptions from the U.S.-Israel war have hit the South Asian nation hard.

“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 oil ministry said on X.

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.”

India has also bought 44,000 metric tons ⁠of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas loaded on a sanctioned vessel. The ministry said the vessel, which berthed at ⁠the western port of Mangalore on Wednesday, is discharging the fuel.

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