Columbia Shipmanagement has confirmed that it has lost contact with the Cyprus-managed product tanker Talara, amid mounting reports that the vessel was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Gulf of Oman.

>>Tanker Talara Freed: Crew Safe After Days in Iranian Custody<<

In an official statement submitted to FastForward, the company said the Talara—carrying a cargo of high-sulphur gasoil—was transiting the Indian Ocean en route from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore when communication abruptly ceased at 08:22 local time (04:22 UTC) on Friday, 14 November 2025, approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan, UAE.

“Columbia Shipmanagement has notified the relevant authorities and is working closely with all relevant parties – including maritime security agencies and the vessel owner – to restore contact with the vessel. The safety of the crew remains our foremost priority,” the company said.

The loss of contact coincides with indicating that armed members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps boarded the Talara using three small vessels. The forces reportedly took control of the tanker and have redirected it toward an Iranian port.

The Talara, a 73,371-ton crude oil tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag, was sailing through the Gulf of Oman when the alleged seizure occurred. Sources cited by Reuters say the operation is consistent with previous IRGC maritime actions.

The vessel is managed by Columbia Shipmanagement and owned by Pasha Finance, a company based in Limassol, Cyprus.

If confirmed, this would be Iran’s first seizure of a commercial vessel in 2025. The last such incident occurred in April 2024, when the IRGC captured the Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries during a helicopter operation in international waters.

Columbia Shipmanagement has stated it will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Pasha Finance is linked to the Aliyev and Pashayev families and is therefore beneficially owned by the First Family of Azerbaijan. This was incorrect. Pasha Finance is not owned by Pasha Holding, is not a subsidiary of Pasha Holding, and is not associated in any way with the First Family of Azerbaijan.