Iranian authorities have confiscated a foreign-flagged tanker in the Sea of Oman, accusing it of carrying two million liters of smuggled fuel, the judiciary announced Wednesday.
Mojtaba Ghahremani, head of the judiciary in southern Hormozgan province, stated that the vessel was intercepted after inspectors found discrepancies in its cargo documentation. Seventeen individuals, including the shipโs captain and crew, were detained, though their nationalities were not disclosed.
The seizure follows a similar incident months earlier, when Iranโs Revolutionary Guards impounded two Tanzanian-flagged tankersโthe Sea Ranger and Salamaโfor allegedly transporting 1.5 million liters of diesel in the Gulf. Those ships and their 25 crew members were later moved to Bushehr port for legal processing.
Subsidies Fuel Smuggling Trade
Iranโs heavily subsidized domestic fuel pricesโamong the lowest globallyโhave long made the country a hotspot for smuggling operations. Authorities routinely intercept vessels suspected of illicit fuel trade, though the latest detention underscores ongoing enforcement challenges in regional waters.
Investigators are conducting lab tests and document reviews to confirm the legality of the seized cargo. The incident adds to tensions in key maritime corridors, where Iran has previously clashed with foreign vessels over alleged violations.
No further details were released regarding the tankerโs flag or ownership. The case remains under investigation.
