Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed it seized a tanker on Friday morning in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Talara tanker, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore.
The IRGC stated it was detained for being in violation of the law by carrying unauthorised cargo, although they did not disclose specific details of the violation. Reports suggest the tanker was carrying high-sulphur gasoil.
Tehran has a history of seizing vessels in the Persian Gulf, a vital shipping lane for oil and liquefied natural gas, often citing maritime violations such as smuggling or legal infractions.
According to maritime security company Ambrey, the Talara was heading south through the Strait when it was approached by three small Iranian boats, leading to a sudden course deviation.
The U.S. Navy's 5th fleet, which conducts patrols in the region, commented on its active monitoring of the situation, asserting that commercial vessels hold rights to unhindered navigation and commerce on the high seas.
The operator of the Talara has reported a loss of contact with the crew while the ship was approximately 20 nautical miles off Sharjah's Khorfakkan port.
The UK's Maritime Trade Operations Centre has been informed about the incident and advises vessels to transit with caution while reporting any suspicious activities.
Iran has long threatened to obstruct the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of globally traded oil flows, particularly in response to Western sanctions and military actions against the regime.
These threats intensified during the recent conflict with Israel, which included targeted strikes from both sides, further escalating regional tensions.
In a notable incident from April 2024, the IRGC had previously seized a commercial ship linked to Israel following attacks attributed to Israel on Iranian facilities.
