Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized two ships accused of smuggling fuel near Farsi Island, off the coast of Bushehr Province in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC Navy’s public relations office announced on Thursday that the vessels were captured following an operation in the strategically important waters around the small, barren island. According to the statement, more than one million liters of smuggled fuel were recovered, and 15 foreign crew members were detained and handed over to judicial authorities.

The IRGC alleged that the ships were part of an organized fuel smuggling network active for several months. Intelligence surveillance and targeted operations led to their identification and capture. However, the statement did not disclose the ships’ origin or destination, nor the nationalities of the detained sailors.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, as the United States has recently increased its military presence in the region and President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Iran. Meanwhile, Iran and the United States have agreed to begin indirect nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday through regional mediation.