Iran’s judiciary has announced that authorities have seized a foreign vessel in the Gulf of Oman on suspicion of smuggling 2 million liters of fuel. The Chief Justice of Hormozgan province stated on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that the vessel was inspected due to a “lack of legal documents regarding its cargo” and was subsequently seized on charges of carrying smuggled fuel.
Seizure of a Foreign Tanker
On Wednesday, July 16, Mojtaba Ghahremani, the chief justice of southern Hormozgan province, announced the seizure of a foreign tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was intercepted as part of routine monitoring after its legal documents related to the cargo were found to be incomplete.
Ghahremani stated that officers inspected the tanker due to its “lack of legal documents regarding its cargo and seized it on charges of carrying 2 million liters of smuggled fuel.” He also confirmed that 17 suspects, including the captain and crew of the foreign tanker, have been taken into custody. A judicial case has been opened at the Jask county prosecutor’s office. However, Iranian authorities have not yet disclosed the identity or nationality of those arrested, nor the name of the tanker or its flag.
Iran’s Perspective
According to Ghahremani, the tanker was detected during “continuous monitoring and surveillance of suspicious fuel smuggling movements in the Gulf of Oman.” This indicates a proactive stance by Iranian authorities in combating such illicit activities.
He emphasized that the actions of fuel smugglers, who attempt to “plunder national wealth,” will not go unnoticed by the judiciary, and perpetrators, if their crimes are proven, will face strict punishment.
Persistent Fuel Smuggling Problem
Fuel smuggling, both by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states, remains a significant and persistent problem for authorities in Iran. This issue is largely driven by the fact that domestic fuel prices in Iran are among the lowest in the world due to heavy government subsidies. This price disparity creates a strong economic incentive for individuals and networks to illicitly transport and sell fuel abroad for higher profits.
Other Incidents
This recent seizure is not an isolated incident. Iranian authorities have a history of intercepting tankers suspected of fuel smuggling.
In April, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two tankers, for alleged fuel smuggling. These vessels, reportedly carrying 1.5 million liters of diesel, were subsequently transferred to the port of Bushehr for legal proceedings. The seized diesel was reportedly slated to be returned to the local fuel supply chain after being handed over to the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company.
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Source: DW
