A screen grab from video footage from Iran's state-run English language Press TV, broadcasted on Aug 4, 2019, shows a foreign oil tanker smuggling fuel in the Gulf. (PRESS TV VIA REUTERS)

TEHRAN – Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has seized two foreign tankers carrying more than 1.5 million liters of smuggled fuel in the country's southern waters, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Friday.

The Panama- and Tanzania-flagged tankers were seized by IRGC's naval forces stationed in the southwestern port city of Bandar-e Mahshahr, the Mehr quoted Mohammad-Sharif Shirali, deputy commander of IRGC's third marine zone, as saying.

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The two tankers, which smuggled Iran's diesel in an organized manner, were confiscated under a judicial order, he added.

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Shirali noted that 37 crew members on board the two tankers have been referred to the country's judicial authorities.