Thursday, Iranian naval forces detained an international oil tanker en route to Texas after the country claimed it had collided with one of its vessels.
The U.S. military issued a statement announcing the seizure and demanding the ship’s urgent release.
The Navy also demanded that Iran cease violating international law in this manner, claiming that such violations have become routine in recent years.
“On April 27 at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time, Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) while transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman,” a statement from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command public affairs office said.
“The oil tanker issued a distress call during the seizure. U.S. 5th Fleet is monitoring the situation,” the statement continued.
NAVCENT statement on Iran's unlawful seizure of a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman today: pic.twitter.com/EJxcsynA1m
— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) April 27, 2023
Initial indicators suggested that the IRGCN conducted the seizure, which is consistent with prior events. However, after sending a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the situation, we have since been able to determine the IRIN (Iranian navy) conducted the seizure.
— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) April 27, 2023
The Naval Central Command criticized the Iranian military for continuing to harass shipping vessels in the region.
According to Reuters, Iran has seized at least five such vessels since 2021.
“Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability,” Naval Central Command said. “The Iranian government should immediately release the oil tanker.”
The statement concluded, “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy.”
Reuters stated Iran defended its decision to seize the vessel and its crew.
Uncertainty surrounds the number of passengers onboard the tanker.
According to Iranian forces, the ship collided with one of its own vessels, resulting in injuries.
The US Navy says Iran has seized Marshall Islands-flagged Texas-bound oil tanker Advantage Sweet in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday.
While Iran’s state TV says the tanker has been seized by the regular Army’s navy, the US says the IRGC Navy had seized it. https://t.co/LgLn1px7Ql pic.twitter.com/ZY1OvCCHtz— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 27, 2023
According to a claim made by a nation that has harassed civilian ships with alarming frequency in recent years, the alleged collision also resulted in the disappearance of a number of individuals.
More on this story via The Western Journal:
“Two members of the boat’s crew are missing and several were injured due to the collision of the ship with the boat,” the country’s military said, Reuters reported. CONTINUE READING…
