The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained an Indian ship carrying oil in the Persian Gulf. The spokesperson of India's External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin, said the matter is being pursued through diplomatic channels in Tehran and New Delhi.

Meanwhile, reports say the ship - MT Desh Shanti - was on its way to India from Iraq when it was detained by the IRGC. The ship is owned by the Shipping Corporation of India and was transporting oil from Iraq.

MT Desh Shanti was detained in the international waters in the Persian Gulf by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), an SCI official said. The official said the tanker, which was carrying crude from Iraq, was not seized and just detained by the IRGC for some inspections amid environmental concerns.

The reason was not bought by the Indian officials because the ship, that was detained in international waters, was taken into Iranian waters. Iranians have agreed to release the vessel only after securing some undertakings from the captain of the ship, officials said.

The Shipping Ministry was looking into the issue, a senior ministry official said. The development assumes significance as it comes at a time when India has taken steps to reduce its crude imports from Iran.



Soran Ali