Iran intercepts tanker carrying 6 million litres of smuggled fuel, 18 crew detained

Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.

The vessel was intercepted on Thursday, 11 December, Hormozgan’s Chief Justice Mojtaba Ghahremani said on Saturday, 13 December.

Ghahremani said the ship’s crew were from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The vessel had no cargo or voyage documents, and its navigation systems had been switched off.

Fuel prices in Iran are very low, which has led to widespread smuggling to neighbouring countries and Gulf Arab states. Authorities are actively working to curb the trade.

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