Iran US Tensions | Iran: Seized 2 Oil Tankers, Detains 15 Crew Members

Iran said Thursday it has seized two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf for smuggling fuel, amid U.S. military buildup in the region. "15 foreign crew members of the two vessels were arrested and are now in custody," Gen. Heidar Honarian Mojarrad of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard told state TV. Mojarrad, the second region commander of Guard's navy, said some 1 million litres of smuggled fuel, including diesel, were seized and handed over to authorities. The commander did not identify the seized vessels or the nationality of the crew. The development comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high following Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month. Nuclear talks between Iranian and U.S. envoys will take place Friday in Oman.