From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Iran seizes tanker passing through Gulf of Oman — US Navy
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe US Navy says Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman today amid wider tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet identified the vessel as the Advantage Sweet. Satellite tracking data for the vessel from MarineTraffic.com showed it in the Gulf of Oman just north of Oman’s capital, Muscat, on Thursday afternoon. It had just come from Kuwait and listed its destination as Houston, Texas.
NAVCENT statement on Iran's unlawful seizure of a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman today: pic.twitter.com/EJxcsynA1m
— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) April 27, 2023
“The oil tanker issued a distress call during the seizure,” the 5th Fleet says. “Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability. Iran should immediately release the oil tanker.”
The vessel’s owners cannot be immediately reached for comment. Iran does not immediately acknowledge the seizure.
The Times of Israel Community.