Oil tankers pas through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Nov 20 (Reuters) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday they had seized a foreign ship in Gulf waters loaded with what they described as smuggled diesel.
Guards commander Ahmad Hajian said the ship’s 11 crew had been detained, but did not give details on their nationality or identify the ship.
“After inspection, more than 150,000 liters of smuggled diesel were discovered,” Iran’s state broadcaster quoted Hajian as saying.
The semi-official Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, released video footage showing speed-boats intercepting a vessel and masked armed Guards boarding it.
Related Article: Pentagon Denies Iran Claim It Blocked US Attempt to Seize Oil Tanker in Sea of Oman
Iran, which has some of the world’s cheapest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the fall of its national currency as it faces U.S. sanctions, has been fighting fuel smuggling by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states.
It has frequently seized boats it says are being used for smuggling fuel in the Gulf.
Hajian said his unit would “deal decisively” with fuel smuggling in the sea to protect Iran’s economy.
Earlier, the official IRNA news agency released a photo of what it said was a “foreign vessel carrying bootleg fuel” seized in the Gulf.
Editing by Andrew Heaven
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,847 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
By David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) – The Philippines is determined to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, its foreign secretary said on Friday at a meeting...
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – While container spot rates on the Asia-Europe and Asia-North America trades continued to remain elevated, year on year, due to the Red Sea crisis,...
As the dry season draws to a close, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is adjusting its operations to align with the climate conditions. Taking into account the current and projected...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,847 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
