Iran detains 18 crew members after seizing foreign tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iranian authorities have detained 18 crew members of a foreign oil tanker seized in the Gulf of Oman, alleging the vessel was transporting a large quantity of smuggled fuel.

According to Iranian media reports on Saturday, citing the Hormozgan province judiciary, the tanker was intercepted on Friday while carrying about six million litres of fuel suspected to have been smuggled. Those taken into custody include the ship’s captain, as investigations continue.

Iranian officials did not disclose the identity of the vessel or the nationalities of the detained crew members.

The seizure comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the Gulf of Oman, a strategic waterway for global energy shipments, where Iran has previously accused foreign vessels of fuel smuggling and other maritime violations.

Authorities said further details would be released as the investigation progresses.