Iran Seizes Eswatini-Flagged Ship Smuggling Fuel

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has seized an Eswatini-flagged ship carrying smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf.

Heidar Honarian-Mojjard, commander of IRGC Navy's Second Naval Zone, told journalists on Sunday that the vessel, carrying 350,000 liters of smuggled gasoline, was identified and transferred to the coast of Bushehr Province under a judicial order, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

He said the vessel had been smuggling fuel from Iran, adding that the seized cargo was returned to the country under a judicial decree and handed over to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company’s department in Bushehr.

The commander did not specify the total number of people on board the vessel. He said 13 of the sailors were Indian nationals and another was from a neighboring country of Iran.

All 14 individuals were detained, he added.