Iran seizes tanker involved in dispute with US in Gulf of Oman

Iran seized an oil tanker Thursday that was involved in a dispute with the U.S. last year, a move that could further exacerbate tensions in the Middle East.

The vessel, formerly called the Suez Rajan and now dubbed St. Nikolas, was hauling Iraqi crude oil to Turkey through the Gulf of Oman. Last year, it was part of a yearlong dispute involving sanctions in which the Justice Department seized 1 million barrels of its Iranian crude oil. 

The decision by Iran to seize the ship transpired amid ongoing attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, targeting Red Sea shipping operations in a show of solidarity with Hamas. The rebels launched their biggest attack yet, with missiles and drones hitting the area late Tuesday. The seizure raises risks in the region, potentially causing retaliatory attacks by U.S.-led forces present in the region. 

British and American officials issued warnings since the attacks took place. The United Nations Security Council condemned the Houthis on Wednesday. 

Iran’s state-run television acknowledged the seizure, The Associated Press reported.

“The violating oil tanker Suez Rajan … stole Iranian oil by leading it to the Americans and delivered it to the Americans,” state TV said, according to the AP. It said Iran’s navy, rather than its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, conducted the seizure. Past tense incidents at sea have largely involved the Guard.

The ship sailed close to the city of Sohar, Oman, and was on its way to Bandar-e-Jask, an Iranian port, when it was intercepted and overtaken by armed intruders wearing military-style black uniforms. Shortly after, the vessel’s AIS tracking system was turned off, according to Reuters. The ship added 145,000 metric tonnes of oil in Iraq and was on its way to western Turkey through the Suez Canal.

According to the operator, the vessel had a 19-member crew, made up of 18 Filipino nationals and one Greek national.

More commonly, the Houthi attacks have taken place in the southwest part of the Arabian peninsula, but the St. Nikolas incident took place between Iran and Oman.