Gulf tanker crises

Iran confirms it took Singapore-bound tanker carrying petrochemical cargo

Following inspections, authorities said "the tanker was in violation for carrying unauthorized cargo." They did not provide further details.

|ByREUTERS
This picture released by the US Navy shows a ship of the Iranian Navy and members of the Iranian forces boarding civilian tanker WILA en-route to the UAE, in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, August 12, 2020
The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Ice Energy transfers crude oil from the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Lana (former Pegas), off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards seize commercial ship in Gulf - US Navy

The US Navy had monitored the situation and decided not to make any further response, US 5th Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim Hawkins said.

|ByREUTERS
Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet, which, according to Refinitiv ship tracking data, is a Suezmax crude tanker which had been chartered by oil major Chevron and had last docked in Kuwait, sails at Marmara sea near Istanbul, Turkey January 10, 2023.

Iran continues piracy against foreign vessels - analysis

Iran frequently takes ships and uses them as bargaining chips, often using naval commandos to seize the ships.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
An oil tanker loads gas in Assaluyeh seaport at the Persian Gulf, 1,400 km (870 miles) south of Tehran, Iran May 27, 2006.

US confiscates Iran oil cargo on tanker amid Tehran tensions

Tit-for-tat seizures are on the rise as Tehran and Washington clash in the Middle East.

|ByREUTERS

U.S. bid to seize Iranian tanker halts its release from Gibraltar

The Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by Royal Marine commandos in a landing in darkness off the coast of the British overseas territory on July 4.

AUGUST 15, 2019ByREUTERS
A Spanish Civil Guard boat sails past Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 as it sits anchored after it was seized in July by British Royal Marines off the coast of the British Mediterranean territory on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria, in the Strait of Gibraltar, southern Spain August 13, 2019

British, Iran tensions rise over seized tankers in the Gulf

Britain rejected the idea that it could release a Iranian tanker in exchange for a British-flagged vessel seized by the Islamic Republic in the Gulf.

JULY 29, 2019ByREUTERS
Dominic Raab is seen at the Foreign and Commonwealth building after being appointed as the Foreign Secretary by Britain's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London, Britain

Iran condemns UK during meeting with Oman's foreign minister

Iran has already seized a UK tanker in response and London has said it will attempt to protect its ships from more Iranian harassment.

JULY 28, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani meets with Oman's FM Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Tehran

Iran and Israel share barbs over Twitter

Also on Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has ordered an investigation into a strike against a Popular Mobilization Force’s (PMF) base this past weekend.

JULY 22, 2019ByANNA AHRONHEIM
An Iranian Officer of Revolutionary Guards, with Israel flag drawn on his boots, is seen during graduation ceremony, held for the military cadets in a military academy, in Tehran, Iran June 30, 2018

Iranian envoy to UK claims Britain attempting to escalate tension with Iran

Oman urged Iran on Sunday to let the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero, which it seized on Friday, depart.

JULY 21, 2019ByREUTERS
A British soldier looks on during an operation involving the oil supertanker Grace 1, that's on suspicion of carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, in waters off the British overseas territory of Gibraltar

UK's Hunt says Iran may be on "dangerous path" after seizing tanker

"Our reaction will be considered but robust."

JULY 20, 2019ByREUTERS
Britain's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jeremy Hunt arrives at the BBC in central London, Britain, July 9, 2018

Is the Middle East ignoring Gulf tanker crisis?

JUNE 16, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
An oil tanker is seen after it was attacked at the Gulf of Oman, June 13, 2019

Drone wars over Yemen and Gulf of Oman revealed

Fox News and CNN revealed that a US drone was targeted by an Iranian missile during the June 13 tanker incident and that a drone was downed over Yemen by Iranian-backed Houthis.

JUNE 16, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone sits armed with Hellfire missiles and a 500-pound bomb in a hanger at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

Blast-hit Japanese tanker anchors off UAE coast - operator

Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit route for global oil supplies.

JUNE 16, 2019ByREUTERS
An Iranian navy boat tries to stop the fire of an oil tanker after it was attacked in the Gulf of Oman