By Omar | 2025-04-10

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized another two oil tankers in Gulf waters on March 31, disrupting commercial maritime traffic through the key trade waterway and raising accusations of theft.

"Star 1" and "Vintage" were detained in central Gulf waters for alleged fuel smuggling and maritime violations, and over three million liters of oil was confiscated from the two vessels, IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency reported.

The recent seizures are just the latest example of Tehran’s interventions in regional waters.

Iranian forces in January 2024 seized St. Nikolas, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker; and in April 2024 seized Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, they detained a Togo-flagged vessel. Earlier incidents include the April 2023 capture of Marshall Islands-flagged "Advantage Sweet" in the Gulf of Oman.

The repeated seizures point to weaknesses in the Iranian regime’s naval security apparatus, Turkey-based economist Jamshid Alizadeh told Pishtaz.

"This demonstrates the security forces of the Islamic Republic do not have sovereignty over their maritime borders," he said, noting that it is unlikely such ships are loaded "without any security or intelligence agency being aware."

'Outright theft'

In December, two seized tankers were put up for auction, the Iranian judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency reported.

The Panama-flagged "Ariana," captured in October 2022, was transferred to the National Iranian Oil Company by judicial order.

"The seizure and sale of commercial goods and foreign ships by the Iranian government is outright theft," Mashhad-based civil activist Firoz told Pishtaz, withholding his full name out of concern for his security.

"The Islamic Republic has weakened economically due to increasing global sanctions and is trying to generate income through illegal means," he said.

"Legal avenues for global trade have been closed off to the Islamic Republic, and to compensate, the IRGC, as one of the influential economic institutions, is taking action to seize oil tankers and commercial ships."

The accusations of smuggling lack credibility given the IRGC's own activities, Mashhad resident Farzam, 36, told Pishtaz.

"The IRGC itself smuggles millions of liters of oil to China and other countries daily, so the seizure of foreign ships on charges of oil smuggling seems ridiculous and far from reality," he said, withholding his full name for security concerns.

"Another reason for the IRGC's seizure of oil tankers and foreign ships is the Islamic Republic's attempt to project power," Farzam said.

"At a time when its proxies have diminished and the regime has faced defeat on multiple fronts, the seizure of commercial ships is more of a performative effort to maintain the appearance of power rather than a genuine display of strength."