NEW DELHI 

Eight out of 16 Indian crew members of a detained vessel were released by Iranian authorities, an Indian official said on Thursday.

Around mid-December, the Indian diplomatic mission in Iran was informed that the United Arab Emirates-based “MT Valiant Roar” vessel was detained by Iranian authorities, along with the crew members.

The tanker was seized in international waters off the Dibba Port of the UAE by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Dec. 8, which alleged that the “tanker was reportedly smuggling 6,000 tonnes of fuel.”

India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told a news conference in New Delhi that consular access was granted to the detained sailors in Iran.

“Our officials in Bandar Abbas have met with them. Of those 16, eight people, according to the Iranian authorities, have been released and will be returning home as in when necessary formalities for the travel is completed,” he said.

“With regards to the remaining eight sailors, we are in touch with the Iranian authorities. We will see how best to support them for whatever need they may have.”