Iran's Revolutionary Guard seizes Oil Tanker in the Gulf

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced on Saturday the seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker "Talara" after it suddenly changed course while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Friday morning.

A statement from the Guard explained that rapid intervention units intercepted the vessel, acting on a court order to seize its cargo, after it was suspected of "transporting an unlicensed cargo."

The statement indicated that the ship was carrying 30,000 tons of petrochemical products and was headed to Singapore before being taken to port for investigation into the "observed violations." According to Ambrey, a maritime security company, the Talara departed from the port of Ajman in the UAE and was approached by three small boats as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime chokepoints for oil and gas transport and has witnessed a series of similar incidents in recent years, including the seizure of ships accused of having links to Israel following attacks targeting Iranian interests in the region.

ANHA