Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have taken control of a tanker in the Gulf, allegedly due to violations related to its cargo of petrochemicals destined for Singapore, as reported by state media on Saturday. U.S. officials and maritime security sources confirmed that the Iranian forces intercepted the vessel, redirecting it into Iranian territorial waters. This incident marks the first seizure of a tanker since strikes by Israel and the U.S. against Iran in June.
The Iranian state television broadcast a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), indicating that the tanker was transporting unauthorized cargo. However, specific details regarding the nature of these violations were not disclosed. The tanker, named Talara and registered under the Marshall Islands flag, was navigating near the UAE’s coast with a load of high-sulfur gasoil.
Columbia Shipmanagement, the vessel’s managing company, reported losing contact with the Talara approximately 20 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan, UAE, and stated it was engaged with relevant authorities to restore communication. The ship is owned by Cyprus-based Pasha Finance. Meanwhile, the U.S. military is actively monitoring the situation, as such seizures by Iran have occurred periodically in Gulf waters over the past few years, often citing maritime infractions.
This incident is notable as it follows a period of reduced Iranian military action in the region, particularly after the Israeli and U.S. bombing campaigns in June. The last known seizure by Iran prior to this event was in April 2024, making this sudden escalation more surprising to U.S. officials.
Share it now
