/Reuters Agency
Iran released the oil tanker M/V Talara, five days after seizing it in the Gulf, in its first such action since it reduced its regional military activity following the Israeli-American airstrikes earlier this year.
The 21 crew members of the vessel, registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands, were all safe, according to a statement from the ship’s manager, Columbia Shipmanagement.
The ship was heading to Singapore from the United Arab Emirates when it was intercepted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on Friday, November 14.
The manager had lost contact with the vessel, which was carrying high-sulfur diesel, approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of the Emirati city of Khor Fakkan.
On Saturday the 15th, Iran confirmed initial reports that it had seized a tanker for alleged violations and diverted it to Iranian territorial waters.
The vessel was released at 01:12 GMT on Wednesday the 19th, according to Columbia Shipmanagement, adding that no charges had been filed against the ship, its crew, or its managers and owners.
“We have informed their families, and the vessel is now free to resume its normal operations,” the company said.
Iran has a history of seizing oil tankers in the Gulf, but had not done so since it reduced its regional military activity after the 12 days of Israeli airstrikes in June, in which the United States also participated.
