Iran has seized a foreign ship allegedly transporting a large quantity of smuggled fuel, according to reports published by Iranian state media. The operation was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which intercepted the vessel in regional waters and took control of it.
According to Iranian media, the ship was sailing under the flag of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a southern African country. The vessel was reportedly carrying 350,000 liters of smuggled fuel, raising suspicions of illegal trade activity in the region’s maritime routes—an area where Iranian authorities have frequently conducted anti-smuggling operations.
The ship had 13 crew members on board, said to be nationals of a neighboring country and India. Iranian sources did not disclose further details about the specific charges or the destination of the cargo, but noted that investigations were underway.
This incident follows a similar operation earlier this month in which the IRGC detained an oil tanker bearing the Marshall Islands flag in the Gulf. That vessel was later released, with the operating company confirming that all 21 crew members were safe and accounted for.
Iran routinely conducts maritime inspections in the Gulf, arguing that fuel smuggling poses a serious threat to its economy. However, such actions have often sparked diplomatic concerns due to the region’s highly sensitive geopolitical climate, where even minor maritime incidents can escalate tensions between regional and international stakeholders.
