Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US perceives as a terrorist organization, has reportedly seized a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz for allegedly smuggling diesel fuel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Iran’s state media broadcasted footage on Monday from the deck of a trawler-sized tanker with open hatches showing tanks full of liquid appeared to be fuel. News reports said 250,000 liters (66,000 gallons) of diesel was on board.
According to Iranian military official Brigadier General Ali Ozmayi, all 11 crew members were detained. He didn’t reveal any description regarding where the ship was from or the nationality of those in custody.
It was the second such incident in the following month after a boat suspected of smuggling fuel was detained and its 12 Filipino crew members arrested in the Strait of Hormuz on September 7.
Iran, which offers one of the world’s cheapest fuel prices for having rich subsidies and the fall of its currency, has been struggling with rage against the smuggling to neighboring countries. The latest seizure coincided with escalated regional tensions following a drone strike on a world’s biggest oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, Tehran’s old regional rival.
The United States has issued satellite images and cited intelligence by blaming Iran as the main culprit behind major attacks on the Saudi oil field. Whereas, Iraq denied all the accusations that the attacks were launched from its territory.