Iran has confirmed its navy has seized a US tanker just 50 miles off the coast of Oman.
The UK maritime security company Ambrey reported the St Nikolas vessel had been boarded by armed men before veering off course in the direction of Bandar-e-Jask, Iran.
The tanker’s owner, Empire Navigation, identified the crew as 18 Philippine nationals and one Greek national.
The ship was loaded with Iraqi oil after leaving the port of Basrah on January 9 headed for Turkey.
The St Nikolas was at the centre of a major dispute between Iran and the US last year after American forces seized it for carrying illegal Iranian oil.
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Initial reports state four to five men in military uniform boarded the ship and forced the crew to alter its course to Iran.
The St Nikolas was at the centre of a major dispute between Iran and the US last year after American forces seized it for carrying illegal Iranian oil.
The incident marks the latest seizure of a vessel in Middle East waterways since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas.
While Yemeni Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked foreign-flagged ships in the region, the blame quickly shifted to Iran because of the ongoing dispute between Teheran and Washington over the St Nikolas.
The vessel, which was previously known as the Suez Rajan, was seized last year and the US Department of Justice took over the one million barrels of Iranian oil it transported.
The seizure comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the US due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Tehran has not directly intervened in the conflict but has continued to provide support to proxy organizations targeting Israeli and American targets in the region,
The Iranian-backed Houthis have repeatedly targeted cargo ships in the Red Sea and have launched multiple drone and missile attacks on US military targets.
The ongoing attacks have raised concerns about potential retaliatory strikes from US-led forces.
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday openly condemned the Houthis for their behaviour as both the UK and the US warned there would be severe consequences if their campaign were to continue.
