Iran has released the tanker Talara after detaining the vessel for 5 days near the Strait of Hormuz. All 21 crew members are safe and the ship is preparing to resume its voyage, according to its manager Columbia Shipmanagement.
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was intercepted by Iranian forces on 14 November while sailing from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore. Communication with the crew was lost shortly before the vessel was taken into Iranian waters, where it was later anchored near Bandar Abbas for inspection.
Iranian authorities said the diversion was carried out under a court order related to alleged cargo violations, with local media claiming the ship might have been carrying tens of thousands of tons of petrochemical products originating from Iran. After several days of checks, officials confirmed that no formal accusations would be made against the vessel, its crew or its owners.
Columbia Shipmanagement reported that contact with the ship was restored on 19 November and families of the crew were notified. The company said the Talara is now cleared to continue normal operations.
The incident is the first confirmed Iranian seizure of a commercial vessel this year, following previous high-profile detentions in the region.
