Iran Seizes Foreign Vessel 'Smuggling' Fuel

Commander Heidar Honarian-Mojarrad of the Second Naval Region of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday that “The vessel, flying the flag of a country from Oceania, was apprehended 60 miles off the coast of Bushehr port under a judicial order. Fourteen foreign crew members from two Asian countries were detained following the identification of the smuggling activity.”

Honarian announced the completion of legal procedures and the transfer of the vessel's crew to the judicial authorities of Bushehr province. He claimed that the confiscated contraband fuel is being handed over to the National Oil Refining and Distribution Company of Bushehr province in compliance with the law.

He also added that the vessel had been under surveillance since loading fuel and was intercepted upon entering the operational area of the Second Naval Region of the Revolutionary Guards. He did not provide any information as to where the vessel loaded the fuel and where it was traveling to.

Iran's role as a major oil producer and its provision of globally low petrol prices contribute to fuel trafficking activities in the region. Iranian forces regularly target tankers involved in fuel transportation in the Gulf.

The incident follows a similar occurrence in September when Iran seized two oil tankers flying the flags of Panama and Tanzania for allegedly smuggling fuel in the Gulf.

The heightened presence of the US military in the Gulf has also been noted, with accusations against Iran for seizing or attempting to seize vessels in the strategic shipping lane.