Iranian navy seizes foreign ship in Gulf waters allegedly smuggling diesel: Report

The Iranian navy has seized a foreign ship in Gulf waters smuggling diesel, Iranian news media reported on Saturday.

“A foreign ship, carrying smuggled diesel was seized,” said Col. Ahmad Hajian, commander of the Naval Type 412 Zulfaqar in the southern city of Parsian.

“After inspection, more than 150,000 liters of smuggled diesel were discovered,” he added.

Hajian said the Ship’s 11 crew members were detained for interrogation. He did not provide the ship’s nationality or details on when it was seized.

“After the inspection, more than 150,000 liters of contraband diesel were seized and the 11 foreign crew members were brought before a court,” he added.

The incident is the latest in a series in the Gulf, with several ships attacked or seized in recent years.

On November 10, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the release of the Vietnamese-flagged MV Sothys tanker which they had seized in October in the Sea of Oman.

To protect Iran’s economy, Hajian said, his unit would “deal decisively” with fuel smuggling in the sea.