On Thursday, Iran took control of two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, accusing them of fuel smuggling and detaining 15 international crew members. This development comes just before critical U.S.–Iran talks scheduled for Friday in Oman.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy stated that they intercepted the vessels near Farsi Island, alleging that the ships were transporting approximately 1 million liters of illicit fuel, according to a report from Reuters.

State media in Iran reported that the 15 foreign nationals on board the detained ships have been taken into custody and handed over to judicial authorities for further action.

Amid these tensions, former Iranian Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami issued a stark warning, suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz could become a “massacre and hell” for U.S. forces. This statement coincided with the seizure of the tankers. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)

The IRGC accused the ships of being part of an organized smuggling network that has been active in the area for several months.

Iranian officials explained that the identification and capture of these vessels were the result of intelligence-led operations, highlighting the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf in global energy trade.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Iranian authorities framed the operation as a significant blow to illegal fuel trafficking, though they did not immediately disclose the vessels’ nationalities or destinations.

Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf Thursday allegedly carrying 1 million liters of smuggled fuel. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)

The seizures come as Iranian rhetoric toward the U.S. has grown hostile.

Ezzatollah Zarghami, a former Iranian minister and ex–state broadcaster chief, issued a warning, threatening violence in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and petroleum product consumption passes.

“I am sure that the Strait of Hormuz will be the place of massacre and hell for the U.S.,” Zarghami said Thursday.

“Iran will show that the Strait of Hormuz has historically belonged to Iran. The only thing the Americans can think of is playing with their vessels and moving them from one place to another.”

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials in Oman Friday. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Zarghami later repeated the threat, calling the Strait a potential “killing field” for American forces and signaling Iran’s willingness to escalate amid mounting regional pressure.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials in Oman Friday.

The pair are traveling from Abu Dhabi after two days of talks related to Russia and Ukraine.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday that Friday’s talks were still on, stating “diplomacy is always [Trump’s] first option.”