Iran seizes two vessels in Persian Gulf, detains foreign crew

More than 15 foreign crew members were detained and referred to Iran’s judicial authorities for further legal proceedings.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that its naval forces seized two vessels near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf, claiming they were carrying smuggled fuel.

According to the IRGC Navy, the ships were transporting more than one million liters of illicit fuel.

More than 15 foreign crew members were detained and referred to Iran’s judicial authorities for further legal proceedings, regime-affiliated media reported.

The seizures come amid a series of recent maritime incidents involving Iranian forces and U.S. assets.

Earlier this week, six Iranian gunboats attempted to stop a U.S.-linked oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, ordering it to halt, according to Reuters. The tanker accelerated and was later escorted to safety by a U.S. warship.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, an Iranian drone was brought down after approaching a U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea. U.S. officials said defensive measures were taken to protect the vessel and its personnel.

According to U.S. Central Command, the USS Abraham Lincoln was operating roughly 500 miles from Iran’s coastline when the unmanned aircraft moved toward the carrier.

The incidents come as U.S.–Iran nuclear talks are set to resume after nearly collapsing. Even as both sides signal a willingness to engage diplomatically, the broader tone of confrontation has not eased.

Officials on both sides acknowledge the risks of escalation. For now, diplomacy is moving ahead, but the window remains narrow and fragile.