Tehran, Iran – November 15, 2025: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it intercepted and seized the Cyprus-registered tanker Talara as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 30,000 tonnes of petrochemicals.

According to the IRGC, the operation was conducted “in accordance with legal duties and under the orders of judicial authorities” to protect Iran’s national interests. The vessel, flagged under the Marshall Islands and operated by Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement, was reportedly transporting high-sulfur gas oil from a UAE port to Singapore.

The seizure marks the first such interdiction in the Strait of Hormuz in over a year, amid heightened regional tensions following the June war with Israel and the US.

Incident Details

British and US security agencies confirmed tracking the event. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tanker was located 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Khor Fakkan, UAE, when “state activity” was involved.

Security analysts noted that three small boats approached Talara, prompting the ship to alter course toward Iran through the Gulf of Oman. Flight-tracking data indicated a US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone loitering above the area during the incident.

The US Central Command said it is “aware of the incident” and is actively monitoring, emphasizing that commercial vessels are entitled to “largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas.”

Context of Maritime Tensions

This latest seizure is part of a series of maritime incidents between Iran and Western-aligned states:

• July 2024: IRGC seized a Togo-flagged, UAE-managed tanker near Bushehr, alleging fuel smuggling.
• April 2024: IRGC commandos boarded a Portuguese-flagged containership linked to an Israeli billionaire after Israel attacked Iran’s consulate in Syria.
• 2019–2022: Iran was accused of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and held Greek tankers to negotiate the release of Iranian vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping lane where approximately 20% of global oil and one-third of global liquefied natural gas is transported, making it a strategic hotspot for regional conflicts.

The Talara seizure coincides with Iran displaying missiles, drones, and other military capabilities at a recent exhibition in Tehran, signaling its ongoing focus on ballistic missile production and air defense replacement after losses in the June conflict.