Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a Togo-flagged tanker carrying 1,500 tons of marine gas oil, with crew members of Sri Lankan origin, last week. 

British security firm Ambrey said last Monday the vessel had loaded marine gas oil off the coast of Iraq and was destined for UAE’s Sharjah when it was intercepted on Sunday, 61 nautical miles southwest of Iran’s port of Bushehr.

The Navy confirmed the seizure 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 nationals, has been transferred to Bushehr anchorage and is under supervision,” it added.

Fuel prices in Iran are among the lowest globally, increasing the profitability of smuggling operations.

However, experts previously said that Iran’s circumvention of oil sanctions is among the main reasons for the worsening phenomenon of fuel smuggling.

Iran’s Nour News Agency said last December that fuel smuggling was estimated at 20 million litres per day, equivalent to $5 billion.