Iran seizes two foreign tankers amid tensions

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have seized two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, along with foreign sailors. The tankers were seized on charges of fuel smuggling, Iran's state news agency Tasnim reported. The seizure of the ships came amid US military activity and regional tensions. The incident has raised new concerns in the Gulf region.

According to Tasnim news agency, more than one million liters of smuggled fuel were found on the two ships. A total of 15 foreign sailors have been handed over to judicial authorities in the incident. However, there was no immediate information about the flags of the tankers or the nationalities of the sailors.

Tasnim said the two ships were seized near the Persian Islands in the Persian Gulf. The tankers were identified and seized after surveillance, intelligence gathering and operations by the Revolutionary Guards' naval unit.

Iranian authorities claim that these ships have been involved in fuel smuggling for several months. Their movements were detected through regular surveillance.

Meanwhile, the seizure of this tanker came at a time when the United States has sent a large fleet to the region after deadly measures to suppress anti-government protests in Iran. As a result, tensions have risen again in the Persian Gulf.

Iran often seizes oil tankers on charges of fuel smuggling in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important routes for the transport of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

The report also mentioned that such ship seizures have occurred several times in recent months. Basically, retail fuel prices in Iran are very low compared to other countries in the world. That is why fuel smuggling to neighboring countries has become very profitable.

Meanwhile, according to the news agency Reuters, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said that two ships carrying more than one million liters of smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf have been seized. It has also been reported that 15 foreign sailors on these ships have been brought under judicial process.

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