Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained two oil tankers and foreign crews in the Persian Gulf waters on suspicion of fuel smuggling. This was reported by Tasnim news agency, Al Arabiya reported.
It comes amid rising tensions after the US sent a naval squadron to the region in response to Tehran's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.
The report said more than one million liters of smuggled fuel was found on these two ships and a total of 15 foreign sailors were handed over to the court.
The ships were captured near Iran's Farsi Island. The IRGC said the tankers “had been smuggling for several months and were identified and intercepted by the navy through surveillance, interception and reconnaissance operations.”
On February 3, it was reported that Iranian forces were attempting to seize an American-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
