Reem-Alkhaleej

Egypt was working to secure the release of four Egyptian crew member who wree detained after the Iranian authorities had seized the 'Reem Al-Khaleej' over alleged fuel smuggling in the Gulf. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan 28, 2026, that the four were currently being held at Bandar Abbas,. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had instructed consular officials to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the detained seafarers and to continue efforts to secure their release. An official from the Interests Section has been sent to Bandar Abbas to provide legal and consular assistance to the crew and to follow up with Iranian authorities. The four Egyptians remaiedn on board the vessel as legal proceedings continued. The tanker was seized for allegedly smuggling 4000 tons fuel near Qeshm Island in Dec 2025 with 16 crew members on board, who have been detained on criminal charges. The tanker is operated by UAE-based Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management, which was sanctioned by the USA on Dec 18 for operating in Iran’s petroleum sector. A senior naval officer of the tanker denied the smuggling accusations, stating that the vessel was travelling from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan, when it was intercepted. According to him, the crew was transferred to Iran and fined a total of $14 million. He said the operating company had hired a lawyer, but the case had not progressed and that imprisonment could follow if the fine was not paid.