Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed it seized a tanker on Friday morning in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Talara tanker, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore.
The IRGC said it was found to be “in violation of the law by carrying unauthorised cargo”, but did not provide details of the violation. Reports suggest it was carrying high-sulphur gasoil.
Iran has periodically seized tankers and cargo ships travelling in and around the Persian Gulf, which is a key global shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas.
It has often cited maritime violations such as smuggling or legal issues.
Maritime security company Ambrey said the Talara tanker had departed from Ajman in the United Arab Emirates and was heading south through the Strait of Hormuz when it was approached by three small boats, after which it made a “sudden course deviation”.
The US Navy’s 5th fleet, which patrols the region, said on Friday it was “actively monitoring the situation”.
“Commercial vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas,” it added.
The company that manages the ship announced it had lost contact with the crew on Friday morning, while the tanker was 20 nautical miles off the coast of Sharjah’s Khorfakkan port.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it had received reports on the incident and advised vessels “to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity”.
Iran has for years threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all traded oil passes, in retaliation for Western sanctions and other actions against it.
Its threats ramped up during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June – during which Israel and United States carried out a bombing campaign on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliated by striking Israel.
In April 2024, the IRGC seized a commercial ship with links to Israel, following a deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria which was blamed on Israel.
