Iran has freed a Marshall Islands-flagged fuel tanker seized in the Strait of Hormuz, reports BBC News.

Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement said all 21 crew members of the Talara are safe and the vessel has resumed normal operations. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it intercepted the tanker for carrying unauthorised cargo. Columbia Shipmanagement countered that no allegations were made against the vessel, its crew or owners before release.

The Talara had been sailing from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore with high-sulphur gasoil when it was seized about 20 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan and diverted to Bandar Abbas.

The IRGC has periodically detained tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf, a route for about 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments. This was the first seizure since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June.