Iran has seized a tanker suspected of smuggling fuel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Tasnim news agency said the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intercepted an unnamed 131-metre vessel in the country's southern waters on Wednesday.
The cargo of 78,600 barrels was confiscated and 21 people of different nationalities were arrested.
IRGC navy commander rear admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri said on Wednesday that the vessel was taking the oil out of the country.
He said it was the biggest ever haul of smuggled fuel confiscated in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation, which followed a series of intelligence activities, led to the detection of one of the leading networks involved in smuggling in the region, he added.
He said the arrested people will now face trial. It is not clear how many, if any, crew were held.
