Iran seizes two tankers smuggling 3 million liters of fuel
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One of the tankers is owned and operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the other's origins remain unidentified.
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In this photo released by the Iranian army on Monday, March 10, 2025, a Russian navy vessel enters Iranian waters for a joint naval exercise with Iran and China (AP)
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that its forces seized two oil tankers attempting to smuggle fuel in the Gulf.
Details provided by the IRGC revealed that the oil tankers, identified as STAR I and VINTAGE, with a 25-member crew on board, were engaged in a fuel smuggling operation of three million litres of diesel combined.
One of the tankers is reportedly owned and operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the other's origins remain unidentified.
The Gulf is a hotspot for oil smuggling operations, with the IRGC Navy frequently reporting fuel smuggling incidents.
In July 2024, the IRGC's naval force seized an oil tanker alongside 12 members of its crew off the coast of the southern Iranian city of Bushehr.
The Togolese Betelgeuse vessel was reportedly smuggling 1.5 million liters of oil and was taken to Iranian waters following a judiciary order.
"The vessel was brought to the port of Bushehr, along with its 12 crew members, who are of Indian and Sri Lankan nationality," the Sepahnews website said.
In April, the IRGC Navy seized an Israeli-linked vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more: IRGC seize 'Israel'-linked vessel near Strait of Hormuz
