Iran confirms tanker seizure in Strait of Hormuz
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran confirmed on Saturday that its forces seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara. The ship unexpectedly changed course in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and headed towards Iranian territorial waters.
The tanker was carrying 30,000 tons of petrochemical materials bound for Singapore when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy brought it into anchor for investigation, reported Tasnmin news, which is affiliated with the IRGC.
After inspecting the vessel, they found the tanker was “transporting unauthorized cargo,” Tasnim reported, citing the IRGC, adding that the navy acted within its legal rights to protect Iran’s interests and resources.
The tanker was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore.
According to Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, the Talara was approached by three small boats on Friday as it transited southbound through the Strait of Hormuz and later deviated from its course in the Gulf of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre labeled the tanker’s movement as “suspicious.”
The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments. Iran has seized ships in the area in the past, including one last year that Tehran said was linked to Israel.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz. After the war with Israel in June, Iranian lawmaker Esmaeil Kowsari told state-run Press TV that Tehran is considering the possibility of closing the strategic waterway in response to Israeli military actions.
The tanker was carrying 30,000 tons of petrochemical materials bound for Singapore when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy brought it into anchor for investigation, reported Tasnmin news, which is affiliated with the IRGC.
After inspecting the vessel, they found the tanker was “transporting unauthorized cargo,” Tasnim reported, citing the IRGC, adding that the navy acted within its legal rights to protect Iran’s interests and resources.
The tanker was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore.
According to Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, the Talara was approached by three small boats on Friday as it transited southbound through the Strait of Hormuz and later deviated from its course in the Gulf of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre labeled the tanker’s movement as “suspicious.”
The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments. Iran has seized ships in the area in the past, including one last year that Tehran said was linked to Israel.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz. After the war with Israel in June, Iranian lawmaker Esmaeil Kowsari told state-run Press TV that Tehran is considering the possibility of closing the strategic waterway in response to Israeli military actions.