Iranian authorities arrested 18 crew members, including Bangladeshis, after they seized a foreign tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, according to Iranian media citing the Hormozgan province judiciary. The tanker was reportedly carrying 6 million liters of smuggled fuel. Among those detained is the vessel’s captain. The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the crew included individuals from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Officials stated that the tanker had violated several regulations, such as ignoring stop orders, attempting to escape, and lacking proper navigation and cargo documentation. Iran, where fuel prices are among the lowest globally due to heavy subsidies and a weakened currency, has been taking strict measures against widespread fuel smuggling by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Gulf nations.