ALBAWABA- The British Agency for Maritime Security Services reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard intercepted a Togolese-flagged tanker 61 nautical miles off Bushehr. The tanker, managed by the United Arab Emirates, was carrying 1,500 tons of marine diesel oil.
According to the British maritime security company Ambrey, this incident occurred on Sunday near the port of Bushehr. The Revolutionary Guard's actions are believed to be part of an anti-smuggling operation rather than an act of war.
Iran, known for having some of the world's cheapest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and a devalued currency, has been combatting widespread fuel smuggling both by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Persian Gulf Arab states.
In a related event on July 5th, the United States Navy reported preventing Iranian forces from seizing two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Naval Forces Central Command stated that the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul drove off Iranian vessels attempting to intercept the tankers off the coast of Oman, with one incident involving Iranian forces allegedly firing on a tanker.
