Iranian authorities say they have seized a foreign oil tanker near the island of Qeshm in the Gulf, alleging the vessel was transporting 4 million litres of smuggled fuel, according to state media reports issued on Friday.
The tanker was intercepted by units of Iran’s naval forces operating in the strategically sensitive waters of the Gulf, an area that has seen repeated maritime tensions in recent years. Officials said the vessel was detained after intelligence monitoring indicated it was carrying fuel obtained illegally and destined for regional markets.
Iran frequently announces similar operations, saying they are part of ongoing efforts to combat large‑scale fuel smuggling networks that exploit the country’s heavily subsidised energy prices. Authorities have not yet disclosed the nationality of the ship, the crew, or the intended destination of the cargo.
The seizure comes amid heightened scrutiny of maritime activity in the Gulf, a key global shipping corridor where commercial vessels regularly transit close to Iranian territorial waters.
Further details are expected as Iranian officials continue their investigation into the tanker’s ownership and the origin of the fuel.
