Iranian authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for smuggling over 2 million litres of fuel. The operation was reported on July 16, by the Chief Justice of Hormozgan province, according to local media outlets.

Officials said the tanker was inspected due to missing or incomplete legal documents related to its cargo. During the inspection, it was found to be carrying 2 million litres of smuggled fuel.

Following the inspection, the vessel was detained. A total of 17 people on board, including the captain and crew members, were arrested. A judicial case has been filed at the prosecutor’s office in Jask county. Iranian authorities have not disclosed the name of the ship, its flag, or the country it was headed to.

The Chief Justice of Hormozgan province said the authorities are currently collecting evidence to confirm the exact quantity of fuel. Laboratory tests and document verification are also underway to confirm the cargo’s contents and its legal status.

Iran’s state-run and semi-official news agencies reported that the judiciary would announce the results of the investigation once the verification process is complete.

The country has some of the lowest fuel prices in the world due to government subsidies and the fall in the value of the Iranian currency. These conditions have made fuel smuggling a serious issue. Smugglers often attempt to move fuel illegally by land into neighboring countries or by sea to Gulf Arab states.

Officials said that individuals involved in smuggling activities, especially those working with foreign partners, will not be shown any leniency if proven guilty.

In March 2025, Iranian authorities reported intercepting two vessels carrying a total of 3 million litres of diesel fuel. Those operations also led to the arrest of 25 crew members.

In April, three more vessels were stopped, and in June, another tanker was detained. In a previous case in April 2025, two ship captains and four crew members were sentenced to five years in prison and fines after being found guilty of smuggling fuel.

Earlier this year, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also seized two Tanzanian-flagged tankers, Sea Ranger and Salama, for allegedly transporting 1.5 million litres of diesel in the Gulf. Those vessels and their 25 foreign crew members were transferred to the port of Bushehr for further legal proceedings.

Reference: Reuters

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