The Iranian authorities detained the Togolese-flagged oil tanker "Pearl G" last Friday in the Gulf, where it was carrying 700,000 liters of smuggled Iranian crude oil, according to what the local "Tasnim" agency confirmed on Monday.

The semi-official agency said that "Pearl G", owned by an Iraqi citizen residing in the Emirates, was unloading smuggled oil from Iranian ships, adding that "the ship was transported to Imam Khomeini Port."

Iran, which has some of the cheapest fuels in the world, due to subsidies and the devaluation of its currency, is struggling with smuggling operations spread over land to neighboring countries and by sea to the Arab Gulf states

Tracking data issued by the London Stock Exchange Group shows that “Pearl G” has spent the past 90 days sailing between the coast of Sharjah in the Emirates and areas off the coast of Iraq.

The agency added that the authorities detained the tanker with a crew of nine Indians on board, based on a judicial order.

According to the London Stock Exchange Group, Jinsung Marine Services Limited is the registered manager of the oil tanker.

Last week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized another tanker flying the Togolese flag and carrying 1,500 tons of marine gas oil.