Hijacking - Gulf of Oman, 20NM East of Khor Fakkan, UAE

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

14 November 2025, 04:30 UTC

Location:

Gulf of Oman, 20NM East of Khor Fakkan, UAE

Latitude/Longitude: 

25° 21' 0.00" N, 56° 44' 24.00" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag and Status:

Talara, Fuel Tanker, Marshall Islands, Underway

Incident Type:

Hijacking

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

Iran seized the Marshall Islands-flagged fuel tanker Talara (IMO 9569994) carrying diesel fuel from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore. The vessel, managed by Columbia Ship Management, stopped communicating at 8:22 AM local time on Friday, November 14, 2025. After crossing the Strait of Hormuz into the Indian Ocean, the tanker was intercepted by the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The vessel was approached by three small boats before making an abrupt turn toward Iran's shores, heading in the direction of Bandar-e-Jask, which hosts a facility controlled by the IRGC navy, before switching off its radio signal.

Key findings

This seizure represents Iran's first ship interdiction in the Strait of Hormuz in more than a year, occurring amid an unresolved standoff between Tehran and the West over Iran's nuclear program. The incident involves a high-value fuel cargo transiting one of the world's most strategic waterways, where one-third of global seaborne oil passes. The IRGC's involvement, rather than regular Iranian naval forces, indicates this may be politically motivated rather than a routine maritime enforcement action. Iranian authorities have not officially explained the seizure, though an Iranian diplomat suggested it could be related to a breach in Iranian laws. The timing is significant given the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel over the summer, which ended with a U.S.-brokered cease-fire, and ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. has assessed that Iran was building the capability to make a nuclear weapon in a matter of months. The tactical approach - three small boats forcing the vessel to turn toward Iranian waters - is consistent with IRGC naval tactics previously observed in the region.

Recommendations

-  Commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz should maintain maximum vigilance and be prepared for potential IRGC interdiction attempts.
-  Vessels should ensure all communication systems remain operational and maintain regular check-ins with company security officers.
- Ship operators should consider enhanced security protocols including increased watch-keeping when transiting Iranian territorial waters.

- Vessels approached by multiple small boats should immediately report to UKMTO and U.S. Central Command

- Shipping companies should review their routing options and assess whether alternative routes may be necessary given escalating political tensions.

- International maritime authorities should closely monitor this incident as it may signal a return to aggressive Iranian interdiction tactics last seen in 2019.

- Vessels carrying high-value cargoes should consider additional security measures including embarked security teams when transiting the region.

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