Iran Seizes Foreign Tanker in Sea of Oman Over Fuel Smuggling Allegations

Iranian authorities have detained a foreign oil tanker and its crew in the Sea of Oman, accusing them of attempting to smuggle more than 2 million liters (528,000 gallons) of fuel, according to a report by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency on Wednesday.

The vessel was intercepted due to “deficiencies in the legal documents concerning the vessel’s cargo,” said Mojtaba Ghahremani, judiciary chief for Iran’s southern Hormozgan province. He said the tanker has been charged with transporting smuggled fuel.

Details about the ship’s nationality and intended destination have not been released.

Seventeen individuals — including the ship’s captain and crew — have been taken into custody and are currently under investigation. Authorities are working to verify documentation, test the seized fuel, and confirm the exact volume of the cargo, Ghahremani added.

The judiciary is expected to issue a full statement once the investigation concludes.