Iran seizes tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US official says, as tensions remain high in region

Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, the Talara, on Friday as it was passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such interdiction in months in the key shipping corridor, a U.S. official said. The vessel, en route from Ajman in the United Arab Emirates to Singapore, was reportedly forced into Iranian territorial waters. While Iran has not formally acknowledged the seizure, the move comes amid heightened tensions after Tehran faced a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, during which the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

U.S. intelligence sources reported that an MQ-4C Triton Navy drone had been monitoring the area for hours as the Talara was intercepted. According to private security firm Ambrey, the seizure involved three small boats approaching the tanker. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed the incident, describing it as a possible “state activity” that compelled the Talara to enter Iranian waters. Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement, which manages the vessel, said it had lost contact with the tanker, which was carrying high-sulfur gasoil, and emphasized that the safety of the crew is their top priority. The company is coordinating with maritime security agencies and relevant authorities to re-establish communication.

The seizure is the latest in a series of attacks and detentions linked to Iran in the region. The U.S. has previously blamed Iran for limpet mine attacks on tankers in 2019 and a drone strike on an Israeli-linked vessel in 2021 that killed two European crew members. Iran also detained two Greek tankers in May 2022, holding them until November, and seized the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries in April 2024. Many of these incidents coincided with the Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on shipping during the Israel-Hamas war, which disrupted traffic through the Red Sea.

Tensions have escalated over the years as Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which roughly 20% of global oil trade flows. The U.S. Navy, operating its 5th Fleet from Bahrain, has maintained a continuous presence in the region to safeguard these critical maritime routes. The latest tanker seizure underscores the ongoing volatility in the Gulf, heightened by recent military confrontations and regional instability.

Source: AP NEWS