Iranian Guards Seize Foreign Ship Over Alleged Diesel Smuggling

A missile is launched by Iran's military during a navy exercise in the Gulf of Oman, in this picture obtained on January 14, 2021. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
A missile is launched by Iran's military during a navy exercise in the Gulf of Oman, in this picture obtained on January 14, 2021. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
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Iranian Guards Seize Foreign Ship Over Alleged Diesel Smuggling

A missile is launched by Iran's military during a navy exercise in the Gulf of Oman, in this picture obtained on January 14, 2021. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
A missile is launched by Iran's military during a navy exercise in the Gulf of Oman, in this picture obtained on January 14, 2021. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iranian Revolutionary Guards have seized a foreign ship for allegedly smuggling diesel, a Guards commander said on Saturday.

"A foreign ship, carrying smuggled diesel was seized," Iran's state broadcaster quoted Col. Ahmad Hajian, commander of the Naval Type 412 Zulfaqar in the southern Parsian county, as saying.

"After inspection, more than 150,000 liters of smuggled diesel were discovered," he added.

Hajian said the ship's 11 crew members were detained for interrogation. He did not provide the ship's nationality or details on when it was seized.



Germany to Expand Financial Program for Syrians Seeking to Return

A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
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Germany to Expand Financial Program for Syrians Seeking to Return

A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Germany plans to expand a financial program for Syrian nationals seeking to return to their home country in the wake of the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, a spokesperson for the interior ministry said on Friday.

"In future, we want to expand the program for those who want to leave voluntarily," the spokesperson said, adding that 200 euros ($205) in travel expenses and 1,000 euros in start-up costs were available for each adult seeking to leave Germany.

"I think the situation is still too unclear for larger return movements," the spokesperson added.

Opposition fighters seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8 and forced al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war, ending his family's decades-long rule.

Many Syrian refugees have since returned to their home country.