Iran on Saturday confirmed that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker carrying petrochemical products in the Gulf, alleging the vessel was transporting “unauthorized cargo,” according to state media.
The tanker, identified as the Talara, was intercepted on Friday as it sailed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, maritime security sources said. The ship had been carrying a load of high-sulphur gasoil from Sharjah, UAE, en route to Singapore through the Indian Ocean.
A statement read on Iranian state television said the IRGC detained the vessel due to unspecified violations related to its cargo. No additional details were provided.
Columbia Shipmanagement, the Cyprus-based manager of the Talara, said it lost contact with the crew early Friday morning approximately 20 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan, UAE.
The company said it was coordinating with maritime security agencies and the ship’s owner, Pasha Finance, in efforts to re-establish communication.
A U.S. official confirmed the incident, noting that Iranian forces had diverted the tanker into Iranian territorial waters. The U.S. military said it was closely monitoring the situation.
The seizure marks Iran’s first such operation since June, when Israeli-U.S. strikes targeted Iranian positions during a 12-day confrontation. The last known vessel seized by Iran before this incident occurred in April 2024.
While Iran has frequently detained commercial ships in past years, citing alleged smuggling, technical violations or commercial disputes, the U.S. official said Friday’s action was unexpected given Tehran’s reduced military activity in the region in recent months.
The incident adds fresh tension to maritime security in the Gulf, one of the world’s most vital energy corridors, where periodic confrontations have raised concerns over shipping safety.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
