Iranian authorities, in a continued effort to combat fuel trafficking, have seized a tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was accused of smuggling a large quantity of diesel fuel, and its foreign crew has been detained.
Vessel Seizure and Cargo
Iranian border guards, in collaboration with the navy, intercepted a vessel sailing under a foreign flag in Iran’s exclusive waters near Jask. The operation was the result of aerial and electronic monitoring. The tanker was found to be carrying over 2 million liters of smuggled diesel fuel, with an estimated value of approximately $840,000.
Crew Detention and Legal Actions
Following the seizure, 17 foreign crew members on board the tanker were detained. They have been transferred to Jask, where they are undergoing legal proceedings. This incident is part of Iran’s intensified maritime enforcement in recent months, particularly in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.
Authorities state that these actions are aimed at curbing fuel smuggling, which is a persistent issue due to subsidized domestic fuel prices. The Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has previously announced similar seizures, including two tankers allegedly transporting over 3 million liters of diesel in a separate operation in April.
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Source: Iran International
