The 21-member crew of a tanker managed by Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement seized in international waters by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps late last week, were on Tuesday said to be safe as the vessel is now anchored near Bandar Abbas.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Talara, carrying high-sulphur diesel fuel from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore, lost contact on November 14 off the coast of Sharjah, according to public vessel-tracking data.

Columbia said that “all crew members are safe and are being monitored”, adding that the ship was now anchored off Bandar Abbas. Columbia said it is working with regional partners to ensure the sailors’ return.

Maritime security sources and a US official said Iranian forces stopped the tanker and directed it into Iranian territorial waters.

Tehran confirmed the seizure through state media, saying the vessel had been detained for cargo violations.

Iran has previously held commercial ships in the Gulf over alleged smuggling, technical irregularities or legal disputes, prompting concerns about navigation in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.

The Talara’s last recorded position was last week, according to MarineTraffic data.