Iran continues to target merchant ships in the Persian Gulf. In the statement made by the US Navy, it was stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards “forcibly seized” a commercial ship in international waters in the Persian Gulf, and it was reported that the ship was probably smuggling. US 5th Fleet Spokesperson Tim Hawkins stated that the US Navy is monitoring the situation and decided not to intervene in the event.
British maritime security company Ambrey said that Iranian forces seized a small Tanzanian-flagged tanker about 59 nautical miles northeast of the Saudi Arabian port city of Dammam. “Iran regularly stops smaller tankers it suspects of oil smuggling.”
IRAN MADE THE DECISION TO seize US OIL TANKER
The Iranian Ports and Maritime Administration Authority announced that it had issued a “decision to confiscate” the Bahamas-flagged oil tanker “Richmond Voyager”, operated by the US energy company Chevron. In the statement, it was noted that the seizure order was issued on the grounds that the tanker belonging to the US company collided with an Iranian ship carrying 7 people in the Persian Gulf and escaped, and it was stated that 5 of the 7 crew members were seriously injured in the incident that took place in the Persian Gulf on July 4th.
TENSION RISE BETWEEN USA AND IRAN YESTERDAY
The US navy announced yesterday that Iran was trying to detain 2 tankers in the Gulf of Oman, sailing in international waters, and in the meantime, fire was opened from the ship belonging to the Iranian navy.
Last May, Iran seized 2 tankers, one of which was under the Marshall Islands flag chartered by Chevron. The US Navy, on the other hand, announced that since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked or seized about 20 internationally-flagged merchant ships. (UAV)