Iran, which has some of the world’s lowest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the plunge in the value of its national currency, has been fighting rampant fuel smuggling and by sea 

Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported on Wednesday that Tehran had seized a foreign oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on suspicion of “smuggling” a shipment of two million liters of fuel.

The agency reported that Mojtaba Qahramani, head of the judiciary in Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, announced the tanker’s seizure without immediately revealing additional details, including the vessel’s nationality or destination.

The lack of legal documentation

Qahramani noted that the oil tanker was inspected, explaining that “due to the lack of legal documentation for its cargo, the ship was detained on suspicion of transporting smuggled fuel.”

He added that 17 people on board the tanker, including the ship’s captain and crew, were arrested as part of legal proceedings, according to the agency.

Ghahremani said a criminal case has been opened in the public and revolutionary prosecutor’s office in Jask and legal proceedings are ongoing. “Based on the report of the authorities, a case has been filed, and judicial investigation into the charges continues,” he said.

Collecting evidence

Authorities are now collecting evidence to verify the total volume and nature of the cargo. “Sampling and relevant testing of the tanker’s fuel cargo, and inquiries into the authenticity of its documents, are underway,” he said. Results will be announced by the judiciary when the investigation concludes, he added.

Iran, which has some of the world’s lowest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the plunge in the value of its national currency, has been fighting rampant fuel smuggling by land to neighbouring countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states.

Two Tanzanian-flagged tankers

The seizure comes months after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards intercepted two Tanzanian-flagged tankers allegedly transporting 1.5 million liters of diesel in the Gulf.Those vessels were later transferred to the port of Bushehr for legal proceedings.The vessels, the Sea Ranger and Salama, had 25 foreign crew members, according to Iranian media.

Related : Ukraine seizes one of Russia’s “shadow fleet” ships

Note : The main image is not related to the incident.

Source: Agencies

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