TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard
forces have seized a foreign oil tanker
accused of smuggling oil with a crew
of 12, Iran’s state TV reported Thursday,
just days after an oil tanker based in the
United Arab Emirates disappeared off
trackers in Iranian territorial waters.
The seizure was the latest in a series
of dramatic developments as tensions
mount between the United States and
Iran over the unravelling nuclear deal
between Tehran and world powers.
of dramatic developments as tensions
mount between the United States and
Iran over the unravelling nuclear deal
between Tehran and world powers.
The Panamanian-flagged oil tanker MT Riah stopped transmitting its location
early Sunday near Qeshm Island, which has a Revolutionary Guard base on it,
according to data listed on tracking site Maritime Traffic.
early Sunday near Qeshm Island, which has a Revolutionary Guard base on it,
according to data listed on tracking site Maritime Traffic.
Iran’s state television did not identify the seized vessel or nationalities of the
crew, but said it was intercepted on Sunday. It said the oil tanker had 12
foreign crew members on board and was involved in smuggling some
1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of fuel from Iranian smugglers to
foreign customers.
crew, but said it was intercepted on Sunday. It said the oil tanker had 12
foreign crew members on board and was involved in smuggling some
1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of fuel from Iranian smugglers to
foreign customers.
The report said the oil tanker was intercepted south of Iran’s Larak Island
in the Strait of Hormuz. Larak is a smaller island just southeast of the
larger Qeshm Island.
in the Strait of Hormuz. Larak is a smaller island just southeast of the
larger Qeshm Island.
Crude prices, which had been falling since last week, ticked higher
almost immediately after reports of the incident.
almost immediately after reports of the incident.
The seizure of the ship does not immediately appear to directly target
any one particular country and shows the Revolutionary Guard cracking
down on illegal smuggling of Iranian oil.
any one particular country and shows the Revolutionary Guard cracking
down on illegal smuggling of Iranian oil.
If the MT Riah was indeed the ship seized, the move directly singles out
UAE-bound and based vessels. The 58-meter (190-foot) Riah typically
made trips from Dubai and Sharjah on the UAE’s west coast before
going through the strait and heading to Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast.
READ MORE
UAE-bound and based vessels. The 58-meter (190-foot) Riah typically
made trips from Dubai and Sharjah on the UAE’s west coast before
going through the strait and heading to Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast.
READ MORE
