Sri Lanka is seeking official information from Iranian authorities following reports that crew members from the island nation were among 18 sailors detained after Iran seized a foreign oil tanker in the Sea of Oman.
Iranian media reported that judicial authorities impounded the tanker on December 12 off the port city of Jask in southern Hormozgan Province, alleging it was carrying around 6 million litres of smuggled fuel.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said Colombo’s diplomatic missions in Iran and Oman had reached out to the relevant authorities for clarification.
“In regard to the reported detention of crew members aboard a foreign tanker in the Gulf of Oman, our Embassies in Tehran and Muscat have reached out to the respective authorities seeking official information,” Hemachandra said in a statement. “We are awaiting further feedback, and appropriate steps will be taken in accordance with established diplomatic procedures once details are confirmed.”
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency quoted Hormozgan Province judiciary chief Mojtaba Ghahremani as saying the vessel was intercepted and inspected in Iranian-controlled waters. He alleged the tanker ignored orders to stop, attempted to flee, lacked valid navigation and cargo documents, and had its radar switched off.
Ghahremani also claimed the crew attempted to damage onboard equipment during the seizure.
Another Iranian outlet, Fars News Agency, reported that the detained crew members were nationals of several South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. It said the crew was being questioned by authorities.
Iranian officials have not disclosed the ownership or flag state of the vessel.
The incident comes amid Iran’s ongoing efforts to crack down on fuel smuggling in the region, a practice Tehran says results in significant economic losses due to domestic fuel subsidies.
Sri Lankan authorities said they would take further action once the identities and status of any Sri Lankan nationals involved areofficially confirmed. (Newswire)