Oil Tanker Seized by Iran in Gulf of Oman, Crew Includes Indians

An oil tanker was seized by Iranian forces in the Gulf of Oman, according to Iranian media reports. The vessel was reportedly carrying six million liters of diesel fuel. The crew of 18 includes individuals from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The seizure occurred on Friday, near the Sea of Oman. According to the Fars news agency, the tanker had disabled its navigation systems. An official from Hormozgan province stated that the vessel was boarded off the coast of the Sea of Oman.

Iranian authorities claimed that the tanker was carrying "contraband diesel fuel". They stated that the action was taken to stop illegal fuel smuggling, which is part of wider patrol efforts in the region. Iran has been actively combating fuel smuggling by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states. This is due to Iran having some of the world's lowest fuel prices because of heavy subsidies and the plunge in the value of its national currency.

The incident raises concerns about the stability of global energy markets amidst ongoing regional tensions. The Gulf of Oman is a major route for global oil trade and has seen several similar incidents this year. Approximately 20% of the world's seaborne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to shipping in the area could increase insurance costs and cause delays.

Maritime security groups have designated the region as a high-risk zone. Some carriers are rerouting ships to avoid Iranian naval units, while others are traveling with extra escorts. These changes lead to increased costs and delays in deliveries.

This seizure follows a pattern of Iran's Revolutionary Guard using commercial shipping and energy security as tools for regional and international pressure. In November 2025, Iran seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker TALARA in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging it was carrying an "illegal consignment" of petrochemical products en route to Singapore.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has previously condemned such actions as "flagrant violations of international law" that threaten freedom of navigation and the flow of global trade.

The incident occurred two days after the United States seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Washington stated that the ship was transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran and was part of a sanctioned oil network supporting Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).