Iran seizes vessel smuggling fuel in Gulf
It won't be the first or the last.
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Soldiers in the Iranian army conducting an exercise in the Persian Gulf (AFP)
According to Iranian state media, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps seized a foreign vessel smuggling fuel in the Gulf and arrested its crew members on Sunday.
This marks the third incident of its kind this month.
IRIB, a state broadcaster, revealed that the Guards "seized a foreign vessel carrying 200,000 liters (around 53,000 gallons) of smuggled fuel in the north of the Persian Gulf and directed it to Bushehr (port)," quoting a statement by the Navy.
"Eight crew members of the vessel, who are foreigners, were arrested and taken to Bushehr port, where they will be handed over to the judicial authorities to complete the investigation and legal processes," it added.
Where the crewmen came from was not revealed.
Smuggling of fuel in the Gulf - where much of the world's oil is produced and shipped - has become increasingly frequent, and the IRGC has been seizing them.
Last November, the IRGC thwarted an American hijacking attempt to steal a cargo of Iranian oil in the Gulf of Oman.
On April 9, a boat carrying 11 members was also seized.
On April 15, Iran seized a boat carrying 250,000 liters of smuggled fuel, arresting its crew of seven members.
"The fight against smuggling, especially fuel smuggling, is one of the main priorities of the IRGC Navy in order to support national production and the dynamism of the country's economy," the IRGC statement said.
