Iran seizes an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after a dispute with the United States

Maritime transport in the region is under strain, due to drone and missile attacks for several weeks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Iran seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman in retaliation for “flight” by the United States of a large cargo of Iranian oil transported by this same ship in May 2023, according to state media, Thursday January 11.

THE Saint Nicholasan oil tanker managed by a Greek company and flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, is now heading towards “the ports of the Islamic Republic to be delivered to the judicial authorities”, according to the Iranian navy. The Greek group Empire Navigation, which manages the tanker, had earlier claimed to have “lost contact” with his ship and the 19 crew members, 18 Filipinos and one Greek.

In May 2023, the United States seized a cargo of 980,000 barrels of crude oil on board the same ship (at the time called Suez Rajan) and initiated proceedings for transporting Iranian oil under sanctions. The owner of the tanker pleaded guilty and was fined $2.5 million.

Several oil tankers seized

American diplomacy urged Iran to “immediately release the boat and its crew”and denounced a seizure “illegal” Who “disrupts international trade”. The seizure of the tanker comes as the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, has just completed a diplomatic tour in the region.

A few days after the seizure of the Suez Rajan, Iran seized two tankers in the area, one flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and another operated by a Greek shipowner. The United States then accused Iran of “harassment” and D’“interference with navigation rights in regional and international waters”.

Maritime transport in this oil-rich region is also under pressure due to repeated drone and missile attacks carried out for several weeks by Yemen’s rebels in the Red Sea.