On November 16, 2025, Iranian armed forces intercepted and seized the Tanzanian-flagged tanker MT Talara near Fujairah. The shipowner, Singapore-based Vega Bulk Carriers, confirmed that armed Iranian personnel boarded the vessel, took control of it, and took it into Iranian territorial waters. Communication with the crew is ongoing, the crew is safe, and they were treated correctly.
The Talara was carrying approximately 15,000 tons of high-sulfur gasoil—a type of diesel fuel with a high sulfur content used as marine fuel or refining feedstock. This product is particularly strictly regulated, often becoming the basis for detentions.
Iran claims the detention is related to “violation of a court order” and the vessel’s “illegal activities”—a typical framing used by Tehran in such cases. Iran has previously detained commercial vessels in the region on multiple occasions using similar methods, regularly escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and shifting risks for shipping companies.
The incident occurred in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime areas—the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil supplies pass. Shipping companies are stepping up risk monitoring, and some operators are considering alternative routes for their tanker fleets.