Iran Seizes Two Ships for Smuggling Subsidized Diesel

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained two vessels, the Salama and the Sea Ranger, accusing them of smuggling large quantities of subsidized fuel out of Iran.

The seizure occurred on April 22 near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. Iranian media reported that both ships were intercepted as they attempted to exit Iranian territorial waters. Authorities claim the vessels were carrying around 1.5 million liters of diesel fuel and roughly 700 billion Iranian rials in cash.

All 25 crew members aboard the two ships were taken into custody and transported to Bushehr Port. The confiscated diesel will be transferred to the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company for redistribution within Iran's domestic market.

Separately, an Iranian court in Hormozgan province has issued firm rulings against crew members of two other unnamed vessels previously caught smuggling fuel. The captain and two deputies of one vessel, found transporting 4.5 million liters of oil, were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $5.37 million.

The second case involved a ship carrying 1.7 million liters of oil. The court handed down identical prison sentences to the captain and deputies, along with a $3 million fine.

According to Iranian authorities, the vessels will be released once the penalties have been paid.