Iran confirms it seized tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the seizure of a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday morning.
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara was heading to Singapore from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Revolutionary Guard said it was found to have “violated the law by transporting unauthorized cargo” but did not provide details of the violation. Reports indicate that it carries high-sulfur kerosene.
Iran has periodically seized tankers and cargo ships plying in and around the Persian Gulf, a major global shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas.
Maritime violations such as smuggling or legal troubles were frequently cited.
Maritime security company Ambrey said the tanker Talara had left Ajman in the United Arab Emirates and was heading south through the Strait of Hormuz when three small boats approached it and then made a “sudden course deviation”.
The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which patrols the area, said Friday it was “actively monitoring the situation.”
“Merchant vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded navigation and trade on the high seas,” he added.
The company that operates the ship announced that the tanker was disconnected from the crew while it was 20 nautical miles off Sharjah’s Khorfakkan port on Friday morning.
Britain’s Merchant Marine Operations Center said it had received reports of the incident and advised ships to “transit with caution and report any suspicious activity”.
Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of oil trade passes, for years in retaliation for Western sanctions and other actions against it.
threats accelerated during 12 days of conflict Israel and the United States conducted a bombing campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliated by striking Israel.
IRGC in April 2024 A commercial ship with Israeli connections was seizedFollowing the deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria, for which Israel was blamed.
