The Deputy Commander of the Third Naval Zone of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Admiral Mohammad Sharif Shir Ali, announced the detention of two foreign ships carrying 1.5 million liters of smuggled fuel in the Gulf. The admiral provided details regarding the seizure of the foreign ships carrying illicit fuel, stating, "The naval forces of the Revolutionary Guard vigilantly and accurately monitor all illegal activities conducted by commercial and military vessels coming from outside the region and proactively carry out their mission competently."
He confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard had detained the two oil tankers, one flying the flag of Panama and the other under the flag of Tanzania, which operated under the commercial names "Steven" and "Kron." He added: "In the past two days, following intelligence surveillance and by judicial order, the forces of the Third Naval Zone of the Revolutionary Guard in the port of Mahshahr and northern Gulf detained two ships that were systematically attempting to smuggle Iranian fuel in the Gulf."
He continued: "The fighters of the Third Naval Zone of the Revolutionary Guard, under control, vigilance, professional conduct, and firm warning to all foreign forces present in the area, successfully detained the violating vessels and brought them to the port of Mahshahr and the Arvand base. The 37 crew members were handed over to the relevant judicial authorities to continue legal proceedings."
