Iran has seized another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was smuggling fuel, reported Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

Officials said the vessel was intercepted near Qeshm island and was allegedly transferring fuel to a larger tanker waiting in the Gulf of Oman. They reported finding four million litres, equal to 25,000 barrels, aboard the ship.

The vessel was ordered to Iran and its 16 foreign crewmembers detained. Authorities described the seizure as a significant blow against smuggling operations in the region.

Mojtaba Ghahramani, head of the Justice Department in Hormozgan province, said the crackdown was mandated by the courts and that Iran's waters would never be safe for smugglers. He pledged intensified efforts against the trade.

Reports said Iran intends to confiscate the vessel and offload its cargo, valuing the ship and fuel at more than US$5million.

Iran has stepped up seizures this year. In April, two tanker captains were sentenced to five years in jail and fined for fuel smuggling.