An EU naval mission boards a sanctioned Russian tanker west of Sicily

Italy's Defence Ministry said on Sunday, 2 August 2026 (11 Mordad 1405), that the Italian led European Union naval mission boarded the tanker Toa Payoh, which is under EU sanctions, west of the island of Pantelleria near Sicily while it was sailing from Benin to Istanbul. Reuters reported the operation and Iranian business outlets relayed it. According to published reports, the vessel had presented itself last week as a Cameroon flagged tanker.

An informed official said the EU naval mission does not have the authority to seize vessels during such inspections, meaning the Toa Payoh was not impounded. Documents gathered during the operation are still being reviewed, however, and may be passed to national authorities for further action if needed. The ship's captain initially did not cooperate with the EU team, which prompted a group of Italian military personnel to board.

According to the Italian Defence Ministry, the inspection was supported by a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft, lasted about two hours and ended without incident. Russia has not commented on the operation. It is the second EU action against Russian tankers in less than two weeks, after EU forces stopped and inspected another Russian tanker last month over the use of a false flag. The EU has sanctioned dozens of Russian vessels, saying they form part of a "shadow fleet" used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports. Tighter inspections in the Mediterranean raise freight and insurance costs for sanctioned crude and, in turn, affect the discounts at which such cargoes sell.