Iran seizes foreign oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iranian authorities seize a foreign oil tanker and its 17 crew members on fuel smuggling charges.

Iranian authorities seized a foreign oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman carrying an estimated 2 million liters of smuggled fuel, Mojtaba Ghahremani, chief justice of Iran's Hormozgan province, announced today. The tanker was seized during an operation targeting fuel smuggling in the area, he said, adding that the vessel lacked legal documentation for the cargo.

The 17 crew members, including the captain, were also detained. Ghahremani did not disclose the name or registration country of the tanker, nor the identities or nationalities of those arrested.

Iranian speedboats operate near a tanker in the port of Bandar Abbas in July 2012. Photo: AFP

Iranian speedboats operate near a tanker in the port of Bandar Abbas in July 2012. Photo: AFP

"Fuel smugglers colluding with foreign entities are attempting to plunder national assets," Ghahremani said. "They will face prosecution and unforgiving penalties if found guilty."

In late May, Iran intercepted two Tanzanian-flagged tankers, the Sea Ranger and Salama, also on suspicion of smuggling 1.5 million liters of diesel. The vessels and their 25 foreign crew members were escorted to the port of Bushehr in southern Iran.

Fuel prices in Iran are among the lowest globally due to government subsidies. Tehran has conducted a long-running campaign against fuel smuggling to neighboring countries by land and sea, resulting in the seizure of several foreign vessels suspected of involvement.