Iran releases tanker seized in Strait of Hormuz, vessel's manager says

The tanker was seized about 20 nautical miles off the Emirati port of Khor Fakkan (file photo)

Iran has released a Marshall Islands-flagged fuel product tanker that its forces seized in the Strait of Hormuz five days ago, according to the vessel's manager.

Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement said all 21 crew members of Talara were "safe and in good spirits", and that the vessel was "free to resume normal operations".

There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that it had intercepted Talara after it was found to be "in violation of the law by carrying unauthorised cargo".

However, Columbia Shipmanagement said "no allegations were made against the vessel, her crew and the vessel's managers and owners" before its release on Wednesday morning.

Talara had been sailing to Singapore from the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of high-sulphur gasoil on Friday when it was seized around 20 nautical miles (37km) off the Emirati port of Khor Fakkan and diverted to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.

In recent years, the IRGC has periodically seized tankers and cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, through which about 20% of global oil and gas shipments pass.

However, this was the first seizure since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June.