An oil tanker, the Talara, seized by Iranian forces last week has been released, though it is sans cargo, according to Columbia Shipmanagement, the vessel’s manager. The crew, captured on Friday, is safe and reportedly in good spirits. Currently, the ship is navigating without its original load, which consisted of high-sulfur gasoil, as it sails in a ballast condition.
This incident marks the first seizure of a vessel by Iran since April 2024, escalating concerns that Iran may be resuming its targeting of merchant ships in response to tensions with Israel and Western allies. Iranian state media indicated that the ship was detained for unspecified violations, although specific allegations against the Talara, its crew, or management have not been disclosed.
The Talara was reportedly boarded by a helicopter and taken to the Iranian coast, as confirmed by Western military sources in the area. As it departed Iranian waters early Wednesday, vessel tracking data indicated a reduction in its draft, suggesting that a portion of its cargo may have been extracted.
In a statement, Columbia Shipmanagement did not specify the alleged violations and emphasized that no formal charges have been levied against the vessel or its crew.
Share it now
