Iran seizes seven intruding Saudi fishing boats

Iranian Coast Guard has seized seven Saudi fishing boats intruding into Iran’s territorial waters off the southern Hormozgan Province, a provincial official said.

Commander of the Fisheries Reserves Protection Unit of Hormozgan Province Hassan Toulabi said on Saturday that Iranian Coast Guard forces together with provincial fisheries protection unit intercepted the seven Saudi vessels earlier this week after they were detected sailing illegally in the Iranian waters.

He added that the 28 crewmembers of the seven boats have been detained and will be handed over to judiciary officials following the necessary legal procedures.

In March, Iranian Coast Guard intercepted a Saudi fishing vessel after it strayed into the Islamic Republic’s waters off the southern province of Bushehr. Four intruders were arrested after the interception of the vessel. Preliminary investigations showed that the captain and crewmembers of the boat were Indian nationals.

Last November, Iranian Coast Guard impounded two Saudi fishing boats after they intruded into Iran’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf.

Iran and Saudi Arabia both have a coastline along the Persian Gulf, with Iran covering most of the northern coast and Saudi Arabia most of the southern one.