Iran Seizes Foreign Ships for ‘Smuggling’ Iranian Fuel

Iran has seized two foreign vessels allegedly involved in smuggling Iranian fuel in the Persian Gulf, according to a local media report. The Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s ideological military force, detained two ships flying the Tanzanian flag that were carrying 1.5 million liters of diesel fuel, described as smuggled goods, as reported by the Fars News Agency. The ships, named Sea Ranger and Salama, had crews of 25 foreign nationals, though no further details about their fate or nationalities were disclosed. The captured vessels were transported to the port of Bushehr in southwestern Iran as part of legal proceedings. Iranian authorities frequently announce the seizure of ships illegally transporting fuel in the Gulf region. With some of the lowest fuel prices globally, Iran continues to see an increasing profitability in smuggling operations to other countries.