Iran's IRGC says it seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker M/V Talara in the Strait of Hormuz under a court order, alleging the ship carried an "illegal consignment." The vessel — reported to be loaded with about 30,000 tons of petrochemical products or high‑sulphur gasoil — was intercepted while en route to Singapore and taken into Iranian waters. U.S. Central Command and UK maritime authorities confirmed the boarding; the U.S. called the action a violation of international law. The episode adds to a string of maritime incidents tied to Iran amid heightened regional tensions.
Iran Seizes Marshall Islands‑Flagged Tanker Talara in Strait of Hormuz, Citing Court Order
Iran's IRGC says it seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker M/V Talara in the Strait of Hormuz under a court order, alleging the ship carried an "illegal consignment." The vessel — reported to be loaded with about 30,000 tons of petrochemical products or high‑sulphur gasoil — was intercepted while en route to Singapore and taken into Iranian waters. U.S. Central Command and UK maritime authorities confirmed the boarding; the U.S. called the action a violation of international law. The episode adds to a string of maritime incidents tied to Iran amid heightened regional tensions.
10:26 PM, 11/16/2025Security
Iran Seizes Marshall Islands‑Flagged Tanker in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran confirmed on Saturday that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces seized a Marshall Islands‑flagged oil tanker, the M/V Talara, while it was transiting the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media said the operation followed a court order and accused the vessel of carrying an "illegal consignment." The IRGC said the ship was brought into Iranian waters; it did not provide details about the alleged cargo, the crew or the ship's final destination.
Iranian officials identified the cargo as roughly 30,000 tons of petrochemical products. Tehran said the Talara had been en route to Singapore when it was intercepted. A private security firm, Ambrey, reported that three small boats were involved in the boarding, while U.S. Central Command said IRGC forces boarded the tanker by helicopter.
"IRGC operatives then steered the tanker to Iran's territorial waters where the ship remains," U.S. Central Command said in a Sunday statement. "Iran's use of military forces to conduct an armed boarding and seizure of a commercial vessel in international waters constitutes a blatant violation of international law, undermining freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce."
Flight‑tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed a U.S. Navy MQ‑4C Triton drone circling the area for hours during the incident. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center also acknowledged the event, saying a possible "state activity" forced the Talara to alter course into Iranian territorial waters.
Columbia Shipmanagement, the Cyprus‑based manager of the vessel, later reported it had "lost contact" with the tanker, adding that the ship was carrying high‑sulphur gasoil. The company provided no immediate update on the crew or the vessel's status.
Context and regional implications
The seizure comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. In June, a 12‑day conflict between Iran‑aligned groups and Israel — during which U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear sites, according to reports — raised fears of broader escalation. Iran has previously been blamed for attacks on commercial vessels, including limpet‑mine incidents in 2019 and a 2021 drone attack on an Israeli‑linked tanker that killed two European crew members. Tehran has also seized foreign vessels in the past, including two Greek tankers in 2022 and the Portuguese‑flagged MSC Aries in April 2024.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic choke point through which roughly one‑fifth of globally traded oil passes. The U.S. Navy's Bahrain‑based 5th Fleet and allied maritime authorities maintain patrols in the region to protect freedom of navigation.
At the time of publication, no independent verification of the cargo allegation or the fate of the crew had been released. International responses and the legal basis Iran cites for the seizure were still developing.