Iran has seized a foreign-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman (also referred to as the Sea of Oman), accusing it of smuggling 6 million liters of diesel fuel, according to Iranian state media reports on December 12-13, 2025.
The seizure occurred on December 12, with authorities from Hormozgan province reporting the vessel ignored stop orders, attempted to flee, disabled its navigation systems, and lacked proper cargo documentation. The tanker was carrying contraband diesel, and 18 crew members from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have been detained for investigation, including the captain.
This action aligns with Iran’s ongoing efforts to combat fuel smuggling, fueled by the country’s heavily subsidized domestic fuel prices (among the world’s lowest) and currency devaluation, which make smuggling to neighboring countries or Gulf states highly profitable.
The exact location is described as off the coast in the Gulf of Oman, near Iran’s maritime borders; while your query mentions “near Jask” (a port in Hormozgan province on the Gulf of Oman), reports generally refer to the broader area without specifying Jask precisely.
No vessel name, flag nationality, or destination has been publicly disclosed in the reports. This incident appears unrelated to geopolitical tanker seizures (e.g., those linked to sanctions or retaliation), but rather part of routine anti-smuggling operations.
