Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has intercepted a Togo-flagged, UAE-managed ship carrying 1,500 tons of marine gas oil, British security firm Ambrey said on Monday.
The vessel had loaded marine gas oil off the coast of Iraq and was destined for UAE’s Sharjah when it was intercepted 61 nautical miles southwest of Iran’s port of Bushehr on Sunday.
Ambrey said the incident is unlikely to be politically motivated and is not assessed as a ‘war’ event.
The interception was likely a counter-smuggling operation by the IRGC, as the vessel’s trading behaviour was consistent with previous IRGC target profile, Ambrey said.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Navy confirmed seizure of the tanker in a statement quoted by Iran’s state news agency, saying “the tanker was systematically engaged in fuel smuggling … and was seized in the depths of Bushehr’s coast by judicial order.”
“The vessel, along with its 12 crew members of Indian and Sri Lankan nationality, has been transferred to Bushehr anchorage and is under supervision,” the agency quoted the statement as saying.
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