Iran Seizes Greek Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iran claims it has seized Greek-owned oil tanker St. Nikolas off the coast of Oman, sparking fears that the Islamic republic may increase attacks on ships in the Middle East’s waterways.

According to The Financial Times, Tasnim News Agency, which is associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said Iranian naval forces captured an “American oil tanker” in the Gulf of Oman, in line with court orders. The news agency was quoting the navy.

Independent online service TankerTrackers identified the vessel as the St Nikolas, owned by Athens-based shipping company Empire Navigation, and detailed that it was carrying Iraqi oil.

Sky News reported that the United Kingdom Maritime trade Operations (UKTMO), which issues alerts and warnings to sailors in the Middle East, said the incident began early in the morning 50 miles off the coast of Oman.

The Sky News article said: “UKTMO described receiving a report from the ship’s security manager of hearing ‘unknown voices over the phone’ alongside the ship’s captain.”

The Associated Press (AP) reported that the tanker was boarded by “unauthorized” people in military uniforms early on Thursday morning, an advisory group run by the British military and a private security firm warned.

St. Nikolas was earlier named the Suez Rajan, and was associated with the Greek shipping company Empire Navigation.

In a statement to the AP, Athens-based Empire Navigation acknowledged losing contact with the vessel, which has a crew of 18 Filipinos and one Greek national. The company did not elaborate.

The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which patrols the Mideast, did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the incident. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, citing foreign reports, mentioned the boarding but did not say anything more.

Details remained unclear in what was apparently the latest seizure of a vessel in the tense Middle East waterways.

Greek tanker Seized by Iran or Houthis in Gulf of Oman

The apparent seizure also comes after weeks of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, including their largest barrage ever of drones and missiles launched late Tuesday.

That has raised the risk of possible retaliatory strikes by U.S.-led forces now patrolling the vital waterway, especially after a United Nations Security Council vote on Wednesday condemning the Houthis and as American and British officials warned of potential consequences over the attacks.

Last month Greece announced it is sending a frigate to the Red Sea to participate in the multinational force led by the United States to protect shipping following recent attacks by militias from Yemen.

Ten countries have already expressed an interest in participating in “Operation Guardian of Prosperity” to protect shipping from Iranian-backed Houthi militias who have launched drone and missile attacks against ships in one of the world’s most important waterways for global trade.

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, say the shipping attacks are a response to Israel’s military campaign in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and have said they will continue until Israel stops the offensive. Fears are growing that the broader world economy could be disrupted as commercial vessels are forced to reroute.

This is a developing story