IRGC Confirms Seizure of Violating Tanker in the Sea of Oman
WANA (Nov 15) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has confirmed the seizure of the Talara oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, stating that the operation was carried out strictly under a judicial order and aimed at preventing the illegal removal of Iran’s national assets — not as a retaliatory move against foreign parties.
According to IRGC Navy officials, rapid-reaction units intercepted the vessel at 7:30 a.m. yesterday after receiving explicit authorization from Iranian judicial authorities to confiscate its cargo. Detailed monitoring and tracking led to the detention of the tanker, which was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands at the time of the interception.
Newly obtained information indicates that the tanker was carrying approximately 30,000 tons of petrochemical products that belonged to Iran. The cargo was allegedly being smuggled out of the country in violation of Iranian law, with the involvement of an Iranian individual or company attempting to transfer the goods illegally to Singapore.
The IRGC emphasized that the tanker’s flag and registration details confirm initial assessments that the vessel was operating under the Marshall Islands flag during the incident.
IRGC Confirms Seizure of Violating Tanker in the Sea of Oman. Social media/ WANA News Agency
The IRGC stated that a full inspection of the cargo, documents, and vessel confirmed the presence of unauthorized and illegally exported goods, prompting the ship’s escort to port for further judicial proceedings. Both the tanker and its cargo have been handed over for continued legal investigation, full documentation review, and final judicial determination.
The operation, according to the IRGC Navy, was executed legally, professionally, and successfully by its forces, with the objective of safeguarding Iran’s national resources and ensuring the return of illegally transported assets.
The British maritime security firm Ambrey had earlier reported that three boats surrounded an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman and escorted it toward Iranian territorial waters. The agency, citing an unnamed U.S. official, noted that the incident was “surprising,” particularly because Iran had not conducted such maritime detentions in recent months.
Additionally, the manager of Columbia Shipmanagement, the operator of the Talara, stated that communication with the ship was lost at approximately 08:22 local time (04:22 UTC) on Friday while it was around 20 nautical miles off the coast of Khorfakkan, UAE. According to reports, the vessel is owned by Cyprus-based Pasha Finance.
Talara oil tanker. Social media/ WANA News Agency
