Iran Seizes US-Involved Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

The navigation route of the American tanker ‘St. Nicholas,’ which was captured by the Iranian navy./Reuters

Tensions are escalating in the Strait of Hormuz, the ‘artery’ of energy transportation following the Red Sea, as Iran seizes an American tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which is connected to the Gulf.

On the 11th (local time), Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency announced, “The Iranian navy captured the American oil tanker ‘St. Nicholas’ in the waters of the Gulf of Oman this morning.”

The agency explained this as “a court-ordered operation,” adding, “The tanker stole Iran’s oil this year and supplied it to the United States.”

The ship was anchored near Basra, Iraq, to load oil for the Turkish refinery Aliaga, and then changed course to Iran’s Bandar-e-Jask.

The Turkish state oil company Tüpraş said of the captured ship, “It was carrying 140,000 tons of crude oil purchased from the Iraq Oil Export Corporation (SOMO) and was on its way from the port of Basra to our refinery.”

It was reported that a total of 19 people, including one Greek and 18 Filipinos, were on board the ship.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a sea route for major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Iran appears to be showcasing its control over not only the Red Sea but also the major energy transportation route, the Strait of Hormuz, through this seizure.

There are also analyses suggesting this could be a ‘retaliation’ for the Gaza war, the assassination of Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon, and the bombing of pro-Iranian facilities in Syria.

By. Mi Ri Seon