Iran’s Revolutionary Guards capture ship in Gulf.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Seize Commercial Ship in Gulf Waters
Fast-attack crafts from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy swarming Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi as it transits the Strait of Hormuz from Dubai to port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Arabian Gulf early hours of May 3, 2023, are seen in this screenshot of a video shot provided by U.S. Navy on May 3, 2023. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Handout via REUTERS
According to a U.S. Navy spokesperson, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have “forcibly seized” a commercial ship in international waters in the Gulf. This incident occurred on Thursday and has raised concerns about maritime security.
The U.S. Navy closely monitored the situation but decided not to take any further action, as stated by U.S. 5th Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim Hawkins.
British maritime security company Ambrey reported an attempted seizure by Iranian forces of a small Tanzanian flagged tanker, located around 59 nautical miles northeast of the Saudi Arabian port city of Dammam. Ambrey added that Iran frequently intercepts smaller tankers suspected of smuggling oil.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage between Iran and Oman, sees approximately a fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil and oil products. This chokepoint has become a focal point for tensions in the region.
In a recent incident on Wednesday, the U.S. Navy intervened to prevent Iran from seizing two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Video footage shared by the U.S. Navy shows an Iranian warship opening fire on an oil tanker, which ultimately ceased its pursuit when a U.S. guided missile destroyer arrived in the area.
Commander Tim Hawkins emphasized that U.S. forces remain vigilant and ready to protect the navigational rights of lawful maritime traffic in the Middle East’s critical waters.
Iran claimed to have a court order to seize one of the tankers involved in Wednesday’s incident, stating that it collided with an Iranian vessel. The tanker in question, the Bahamas-flagged Richmond Voyager, was managed by U.S. oil major Chevron. This seizure follows Iran’s previous actions in May, where they seized two other tankers, including the Marshall Islands flagged Advantage Sweet, which had been chartered by Chevron.
The U.S. Navy revealed that since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked, or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
Published under: Iran
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