Iran says it seized two tankers for smuggling diesel
- Images uploaded by IRGC media suggest the vessels in question are two small tankers, one of which could not be identified with the name provided
- Seizure is likely meant to send a signal to the US, according to EOS Risk Group head of advisory Martin Kelly
- There were 25 crew on board the two vessels, which were taken to Bushehr and are accused of smuggling more than 3m litres of diesel, according to state-owned media
State-owned Iranian media reported on Monday the IRGC seized two tankers in the Middle East Gulf for smuggling diesel. According to EOS Risk Group head of advisory Martin Kelly, the move was likely more about sending a signal to the US about Iran’s capabilities to seize vessels than about the smuggled fuel
IRAN’S Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized two tankers it accused of smuggling diesel, state-owned media outlets reported on Monday.
The IRGC news agency Sepah News said: “Two foreign tankers named “Star 1” and “Vintage” were seized from the heads of fuel-smuggling networks in the central waters of the Persian Gulf.”
Vintage appears to be referring to the Palau-flagged 3,573 dwt Yahya (IMO: 9007881), ex-Vantage, judging by an image uploaded to Sepah News that showed “Yah” painted on one of the tankers’ hulls, with two more letters blocked out, and based on Yahya’s last transmitted location.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, Yahya was sailing south in the Middle East Gulf on Sunday when it stopped transmitting AIS around noon (UTC). Lloyd’s List Intelligence database did not have any ownership or management information for the vessel.
The Palau registry, under which the vessel had been flagged, said its registration state had been “inactive” since December 2024, due to unpaid annual taxes. "The vessel was not properly documented and therefore does not hold valid minimum safe manning and ship radio station license issued by Palau International Ship Registry," it said.
Lloyd’s List could not immediately determine the identity of Star 1 with sufficient certainty.
Fuel in Iran is heavily subsidised, which creates arbitrage opportunities for smugglers. This is not the first time Iran has seized tankers it accused of smuggling, but the message is likely intended as a deterrent to the US, not smugglers.
“Iran as a sovereign state can and does seize ships engaged in fuel smuggling in its waters, which is frequent in the [Middle East] Gulf,” said EOS Risk Group head of advisory Martin Kelly.
“The strategic communication, however, is way bigger than the seizure. This is more likely a move to implement deterrence and demonstrate Iran’s capability to seize shipping in the Gulf as a hybrid means to counter the build-up of US military assets across the Middle East,” he told Lloyd’s List.
There were 25 crew on board the vessels, which were taken to Bushehr to unload the fuel, according to Iranian media.
The two tankers are accused of smuggling more than 3m litres of diesel, equivalent to about 18,900 barrels.
