Iranian border police seize oil tanker in Persian Gulf

Iranian authorities have seized more than 2 million liters of smuggled diesel fuel from an oil tanker near the port of Jask, within Iran’s exclusive waters.

Brigadier General Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, commander of the Iranian Border Police, said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Iranian Navy. Border guards in Hormozgan Province, using intelligence, electronic equipment, and aerial surveillance, identified the tanker, named Phoenix and flying a foreign flag, about 23 miles off Kuh-e Mobarak, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media. 

The tanker was stopped and inspected, revealing 2,030,755 liters of smuggled diesel fuel on board. Seventeen foreign nationals suspected of involvement were detained and transferred to local authorities in Jask.

The value of the seized fuel has been estimated at around 759 billion Iranian rials ($1.8 million). Officials noted that cooperation between border forces and other military units has been key in disrupting smuggling activities along Iran’s land and sea borders.

By Sabina Mammadli