Iran seizes Togo-flagged oil tanker, highlighting intensified efforts to combat lucrative fuel smuggling.
In July 22, Iran announced the capture of a Togo-flagged oil tanker transporting nearly 1.5 million liters of “smuggled” oil in the Arabian-Persian Gulf and detained its 12 crew members, who were of Indian and Sri Lankan nationalities. The ship and its crew were later taken to the port of Bushehr in the southwest of Iran.
Given the U.S. sanctions, Iran’s fuel prices are among the lowest worldwide, which makes fuel smuggling extremely profitable. On January 11, Iran intercepted the ST NIKOLAS, which was carrying 2 million liters of illicit fuel. On July 11, the ADVANTAGE SWEET oil tanker was released by Iranian authorities after its seizure in April 2023.
