Iran Forces Seize Oil Tanker After it Passes Hormuz Strait

Iranian forces seized an oil tanker sailing in the Gulf of Oman, diverting the vessel toward the country’s territorial waters on Friday after it passed the Strait of Hormuz, a US defense official said.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara was sailing about 20 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates when it lost contact with its manager, Columbia Shipmanagement, the company said in a statement. The ship was intercepted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, according to Vanguard Tech, which provides maritime intelligence.

Iran hasn’t officially commented on the incident and calls made to Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization were not immediately answered. The UK Maritime Trade Operations, which acts as the UK Navy’s liaison in the region, said the incident is believed to be state-based activity. The US defense official characterized the act as a violation of international law but otherwise declined to elaborate.

The episode bears the hallmarks of the vessel having been seized by Iranian forces, though authorities are still confirming the nature of the diversion, adding to concerns that Iran is again targeting merchant ships as it’s increasingly isolated by its conflicts with the US and Israel. The last such incident took place in April 2024, when Tehran captured an Israel-linked container ship in the region.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high months after Iran and Israel’s 12-day war in June, which culminated in the US dropping bombs on the Islamic Republic’s key nuclear sites. In September, the country also became subject to broad United Nations sanctions, which could potentially further isolate Tehran while it struggles with an economic crisis and social discontent remains high.

Talara had loaded fuels from Hamriyah, a deep-water port in the UAE’s northeast, last month, ship-tracking data show. It then sailed through the Strait of Hormuz to turn into the Gulf of Oman before the incident happened. The vessel had previously been approached by three small boats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Ambrey.

The vessel was carrying a cargo of high-sulfur gasoil, Columbia said in its statement. It added that it had notified the relevant authorities and was working closely with relevant parties, including maritime security agencies and the vessel’s owner.

In a post on X, the US naval force in the region said it was aware of the incident and monitoring the situation. Commercial vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded rights of navigation, it added.