Iran seizes Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US official says

Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker as it sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on November 14, a U.S. official said, marking the first such interdiction in months in the strategic waterway.

The ship, the Talara, was travelling from Ajman, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore when Iranian forces intercepted it, according to the U.S. defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton drone had been monitoring the area for hours as the seizure took place, flight-tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed.

A private security firm, Ambrey, described the assault as involving “three small boats approaching the Talara.”

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre also acknowledged the incident, saying a possible “state activity” forced the vessel into Iranian territorial waters. Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement later said it had “lost contact” with the tanker, which was carrying high-sulphur gasoil.

“The company has notified the relevant authorities and is working closely with all relevant parties — including maritime security agencies and the vessel owner — to restore contact with the vessel,” the firm said. “The safety of the crew remains our foremost priority.”

The U.S. Navy has previously blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels in 2019 and a fatal drone attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker in 2021 that killed two European crew members. The last major seizure occurred in May 2022, when Iran took two Greek tankers and held them until November that year.

Tensions have escalated in the region following a 12-day war in June between Iran and Israel, during which the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes.

The U.S. Navy maintains a significant presence in the region through its Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.

By Aghakazim Guliyev