Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Confirms Seizure Of Oil Tanker In Strait Of Hormuz

File image.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on November 15 that it had seized a tanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.

The Talara tanker, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore.

In a brief statement carried by the Iranian state-run television, the IRGC stated that “the tanker was in violation for carrying unauthorized cargo.”

A United States official and maritime security sources had told The Associated Press on November 14 that Iranian forces intercepted the oil products tanker and diverted it into Iranian territorial waters. The seizure was monitored by a U.S. Navy drone.

Columbia Shipmanagement, which manages the Talara, said it lost contact with the tanker around 20 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE. It added that it was working closely with relevant parties, including maritime security agencies and the vessel’s owner, to restore contact.

Although it was initially said that the Talara was carrying crude oil, it was later reported that the tanker was carrying high-sulphur gasoil.

This is the first incident of Tehran seizing a tanker since the 12-day war in June with Israel that saw the U.S. attacking Iranian nuclear sites. The U.S. has not yet commented on the incident. However, it could use it as a pretext to escalate against the Islamic Republic, especially considering that the IRGC, designated by Washington as a terrorist organization, was involved.

It’s worth noting that the incident came amid what appears to be a propaganda campaign targeting Iran. In recent weeks, Tehran was accused of everything, from orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets in Europe and Northern America, to building a new uranium enrichment site and expanding its missile program.

All of this escalation indicates that a new Israeli attack on Iran may be around the corner. It is unclear, however, if the U.S. would join in.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: