Iran seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman, US criticizes

Advantage Sweet tanker

ADVANTAGETANKERS SCREENSHOT

AFP news agency reported that the US Navy said that Iran's Islamic National Guard Corps (IRGC) had just seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on April 27, the latest incident in the important commercial shipping route.

The waters where the ship was seized are near the Strait of Hormuz, through which at least one-third of the world's seaborne oil passes.

According to a statement from the US Navy's 5th Fleet, the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet was seized by the IRGC Navy while traveling in international waters through the Gulf of Oman.

"The Iranian government should immediately release the tanker," the statement said, criticizing Tehran for "continuing to harass vessels and interfere with the right of navigation in regional waters." The US Navy did not mention the owner or destination of the tanker.

Iranian state television said the navy had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged ship, but gave no further details.

Iran and the US have traded barbs in recent years over a number of incidents in the sensitive waterway. The seizure of the ship is the latest in a series of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where ships have been mysteriously attacked, drones shot down and oil tankers seized.

"Over the past two years, Iran has illegally seized at least five commercial vessels transiting the Middle East," according to the US Navy.

In July 2019, the IRGC seized the British oil tanker Stena Impero in the same waters, accusing it of ramming a fishing boat. However, the ship was released two months later.

Tensions have been rising since 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from a nuclear deal between Iran and several parties and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. The deal had curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

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