Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the seizure of the Talara tanker on Friday morning in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was en route from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore. According to the IRGC, the vessel was “in violation of the law by carrying unauthorized cargo,” although they did not specify the nature of the violation. Reports indicate that the tanker was carrying high-sulphur gasoil.
This incident is part of broader patterns, as Iran has periodically seized tankers and cargo vessels in the Persian Gulf, a crucial global maritime route for oil and liquefied natural gas. The IRGC often cites maritime violations, including smuggling and other legal discrepancies, as reasons for these actions. The maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the Talara was approached by three small boats before it made a “sudden course deviation.”
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet, responsible for patrolling the area, stated it was “actively monitoring the situation” and emphasized that commercial vessels have “largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas.” The management company of the Talara noted that they had lost contact with the crew while the ship was approximately 20 nautical miles from Sharjah’s Khorfakkan port. Additionally, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre has advised vessels to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities in light of the current tensions.
Iran has previously issued threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s traded oil passes, often in response to Western sanctions. This situation has escalated, particularly following a recent 12-day conflict involving Israel, during which military actions were taken against Iranian nuclear facilities. In April 2024, the IRGC had also seized a commercial ship connected to Israel after an attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria, attributed to Israel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze6zxjw3g3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss