Indonesia seizes two Iranian and Panamanian oil tankers
The Indonesian Coast Guard has seized two Iranian and Panamanian oil tankers off the coast of Pontianak. Indonesia has accused the two tankers of violating regulations, including failing to display the national flag, turning off navigation and radar systems, and illegally transporting oil.
Indonesian authorities announced that they had seized an Iranian oil tanker and a Panamanian tanker suspected of illegally transporting oil on Sunday, January 24. The tankers were transporting oil in the maritime zone.
Wisnu Pramadita, a spokesman for the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, said the Iranian-flagged tanker MT Hourse and the Panamanian-flagged tanker MT Frea were seized in the waters off West Kalimantan province.
He said the tankers are suspected of committing several violations, including failing to display the national flag, turning off navigation and radar systems, illegally anchoring, and illegally transferring fuel, which resulted in some oil spilling into the sea.
Iranian state television confirmed the seizure of the tankers, citing data from Indonesian authorities, but declined to provide details.
According to the Associated Press, the Indonesian Coast Guard has directed the two tankers to the port of Batam Island in the Riau Islands for further investigation.
Severe US sanctions on Iran's oil industry have forced the Islamic Republic's authorities to transfer Iranian oil to other tankers in open waters. In such cases, they turn off the tankers' navigation, radar, and identification systems.
Source: DW
