Key points: Iran says it seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker Talara in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging an "illegal consignment" and reporting 30,000 tons of petrochemical products on board. The Revolutionary Guard said the action followed a court order and was meant to protect national interests, while the ship operator reported it lost contact and described the cargo as high‑sulphur gasoil. A U.S. MQ‑4C drone reportedly monitored the operation and the U.K. maritime center noted possible state activity that forced the vessel into Iranian waters. The seizure heightens existing tensions over regional maritime security and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Seizes Marshall Islands‑Flagged Tanker Talara in Strait of Hormuz, Cites 'Illegal Consignment'
Key points: Iran says it seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker Talara in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging an "illegal consignment" and reporting 30,000 tons of petrochemical products on board. The Revolutionary Guard said the action followed a court order and was meant to protect national interests, while the ship operator reported it lost contact and described the cargo as high‑sulphur gasoil. A U.S. MQ‑4C drone reportedly monitored the operation and the U.K. maritime center noted possible state activity that forced the vessel into Iranian waters. The seizure heightens existing tensions over regional maritime security and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
06:39 PM, 11/15/2025Security
Iran Confirms Seizure of Tanker Talara in Strait of Hormuz
Iran on Saturday confirmed that its forces seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged oil tanker Talara as it transited the narrow Strait of Hormuz, state media reported. The Revolutionary Guard said the action followed a court order and cited violations including possession of an alleged "illegal consignment." The Guard identified the cargo as 30,000 tons of petrochemical products, but the ship’s operator later said it was carrying high‑sulphur gasoil.
The Revolutionary Guard said the operation was carried out to "protect Iran’s national interests and resources" and that the vessel was escorted into Iranian waters.
According to the official IRNA news agency, Iran provided no further detail about the nature of the alleged illegal cargo, the status of the crew, or the tanker’s next destination. Cyprus‑based Columbia Shipmanagement said it had "lost contact" with the Talara; the company did not immediately provide additional updates.
Flight‑tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed a U.S. Navy MQ‑4C Triton drone circling above the area for several hours on Friday while the vessel was intercepted. The private security firm Ambrey described the incident as involving three small boats. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said possible "state activity" forced the Talara to alter course into Iranian territorial waters.
Regional Context and Past Incidents
The seizure adds to a pattern of maritime incidents that have heightened tensions in the region. Iran has been accused of limpet‑mine attacks on tankers in 2019 and of a 2021 drone attack on an Israeli‑linked oil tanker that killed two European crew members. In 2022 Iran detained two Greek tankers for several months, and in April 2024 it seized the Portuguese‑flagged cargo ship MSC Aries.
Relations between Tehran and Western powers have been strained for years — a dynamic worsened after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement — and recent events, including a 12‑day confrontation in June, have increased fears of wider escalation. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes. The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain‑based 5th Fleet continues to patrol the area to help keep shipping lanes open.
What to watch next: updates from Columbia Shipmanagement about the crew and cargo, any official clarifications from Iranian authorities on the alleged illegal consignment, and responses from maritime and Western governments.