Iran has released the Talara (9569994) oil tanker, along with all 21 crew members, Iranian Mehr News confirmed, citing a report by the country’s security services on November 19.

The vessel allegedly carrying smuggled gasoil fuel was detained in Persian Gulf waters and has now been freed after completion of judicial proceedings, the company's manager confirmed, according to ColombiaShip Management (CSM) in an earlier report.

The ship departed Iranian waters following the execution of the court ruling and discharge of its cargo. The release comes after the completion of legal procedures related to the fuel smuggling case.

ColombiaShip Management manages the vessel, which was held for approximately six days before its release. The 21 crew members were released alongside the tanker without reported incident.

The detention was part of Iran's push to combat alleged fuel smuggling operations in the Persian Gulf, where Iranian authorities regularly patrol to prevent illegal cargo transfers and protect national resources.

According to maritime tracking company TankerTrackers.com, IntelliNews can report that the tanker was engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer of her gasoil cargo, which the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claims is rightfully Iranian.  

In a follow-up interview, the company representative said it is continuing to monitor the situation of the Talara, saying, “we’re following up.”

The IRGC on November 15 confirmed they had detained the Talara a day earlier “to safeguard the interests and resources of the Iranian nation” and directed it to anchorage “for the purpose of addressing violations,” IntelliNews sister company Newsbase previously reported. 

“The tanker was found to be in violation of the law by carrying unauthorised cargo,” the IRGC said in a statement, adding that it “was carrying 30,000 tonnes of petrochemical cargo and was heading to Singapore.”

Fars reported the action was solely aimed at “preventing the illegal exit of the Iranian people’s assets” and “to return them,” saying the offender was an Iranian individual or business attempting to smuggle domestically produced petrochemicals out of the country.

According to the Iranian outlet, the tanker and its cargo have been taken to the anchorage for full document and cargo inspection while legal proceedings to “restore the rights of the Iranian people” are under way.