IRGC Seizes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
This incident follows a pattern of recent increased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy maritime enforcement in the region.
PERSIAN GULF — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized a foreign oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on December 24, 2025, according to Iranian state-run media.
The vessel was detained on suspicion of smuggling fuel, with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials stating the action enforced maritime regulations. Iranian state-run media specified the tanker carried 4 million liters of smuggled fuel.
No injuries occurred during the boarding. The tanker’s flag, ownership, cargo specifics beyond volume, and exact location at seizure have not been fully disclosed in initial reports.
This incident follows a pattern of recent increased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy maritime enforcement in the region.
The seizure took place in waters under Iranian jurisdiction within the strategic choke-point. Iranian authorities framed the operation as standard regulatory compliance.
International maritime organizations have not issued immediate confirmations. The event aligns with Iran’s emphasis on combating smuggling in Persian Gulf waters.
Iranian state-run media reported the tanker was transferred to coastal authorities for further investigation. No details on crew nationality or vessel destination were provided.
The operation involved Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval units monitoring regional shipping lanes. Such actions often lead to extended detentions pending legal resolutions.
