Image: from ER syed Amber Rizvi X@AmberRizvi302
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | Thursday, February 5, 2026
TEHRAN — Tensions in the Middle East reached a new peak on Thursday as Iranian state television confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard’s navy has seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Iranian authorities allege the vessels were involved in a fuel smuggling operation.
According to Gen. Heidar Honarian Mojarrad, a regional commander with the Revolutionary Guard, the tankers were intercepted near Farsi Island. The vessels were reportedly carrying approximately one million liters (6,300 barrels) of fuel, including diesel. Following the interception, both ships were escorted to the port of Bushehr for further investigation.
Fifteen crew members have been taken into custody and are currently being held by judicial bodies. Official reports have not yet disclosed the nationalities of the crew members or the flag states of the seized tankers.
#BREAKING | Iran seizes two oil tankers in Persian Gulf; 15 foreign crew members detained
Tehran: tankers were smuggling oil @MollyGambhir tells you more pic.twitter.com/o4dlUTsjRj
— WION (@WIONews) February 5, 2026
A Pattern of Escalation
The seizures follow a series of similar maritime incidents in the region. In December, Iran detained a foreign tanker and its 16-member crew in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and a separate vessel was seized in November.
The Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz serve as critical arteries for global energy supplies. The international community, particularly Western powers, has frequently expressed concern over maritime security in these waters. Since 2019, the West has attributed several attacks on tankers to Iran, including the 2021 drone strike on an Israeli-linked vessel that resulted in two fatalities.
Geopolitical Context
Regional observers note that these maritime operations often coincide with heightened diplomatic friction. The latest incident comes just ahead of scheduled talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, intended to address ongoing tensions following a widespread crackdown on domestic protests in Iran.
As the vessels remain under Iranian control, global energy markets and international shipping associations are closely monitoring the situation for potential disruptions to trade routes.