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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday that they have detained an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf near their coast, just one day after security firms indicated they might be responsible.
The IRGC released a statement stating, “Yesterday at 7:30 AM, following a judicial order to confiscate the cargo of an oil tanker named Talara, flying the Marshall Islands flag, the IRGC naval rapid response units monitored, intercepted, and seized it.” They added that the vessel was found to be in violation of legal regulations by transporting unauthorized cargo—specifically, 30,000 tons of petrochemical materials en route to Singapore.
The ship had left Ajman in the United Arab Emirates and was heading south through the Strait of Hormuz when it was approached by three small vessels. The ship then made a sudden change in course, according to maritime security company Ambrey.
The U.S. Navy confirmed it was “closely observing the situation.” The U.S. 5th Fleet stressed that commercial ships generally have the right to navigate freely and conduct commerce on international waters.
The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has been the site of similar incidents in the past. Last year, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a container ship believed to be linked to Israel, following a deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria that Israel was accused of orchestrating.
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