Rome, January 11, 2024 – Iran has captured one “American oil tanker” In the Gulf of Oman “by court order”. Ukmto, the British maritime safety agency, and the private company Ambrey confirmed the boarding of the oil tanker “St. Nikolas” by men in uniform. Iranian state media republished the news: “The Navy.” “The Islamic Republic of Iran has seized an American oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in accordance with a court order,” says Irna.
Iranian soldiers boarded the ship
The tanker sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands and belongs to the Greek shipping company Empire Navigationwith 19 Greeks and 18 Filipinos on board according to Greek state agency Amna, was attacked 50 km east of the coastal city of Sahar, Oman and diverted to the Iranian port city of Bandar-e Jask.
Because Iran seized the tanker
Iran's Fars news agency reported a statement from Pasdaran: “After the theft of Iranian oil Last year the tanker “St. Nikolas” seized by the United States from the Iranian Navy. The reference is to what happened a year ago when the “St. Nikolas” was named “Suez Rajan” and was accused by Washington of transporting Iranian oil under sanctions. The US Justice Department seized a million barrels of Tehran crude oil found on board, sparking Iranian protests.
Usage: “Release ship and crew immediately”
Washington has suffered sentenced the confiscation law and called on Tehran to do so to release the tanker and its crew “immediately”. “The Iranian government must immediately release the ship and its crew. This illegal seizure “The attack on a merchant vessel is just the latest Iranian or Iranian-authorized behavior aimed at disrupting international trade,” said Vedant Patel, a US State Department spokesman.
Houthis: “Determined to attack shipments linked to Israel”
Today's incident in the Gulf of Oman comes after weeks of dangerous tensions in the Gulf of Oman Red Sea because of that Pro-Iranian Houthis who have vowed to attack the merchant ships of countries allied with Israel. The threat was reiterated today by the leader of the movement, which has held a grip on parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, for years. Abdelmalek Badr and Din al Houthis appeared on television: “We are ready to do whatever is necessary and will fight with all our courage to support the Palestinian people,” and warned: “We are more determined than ever to continue on this path and target ships that “Have ties to Israel.”
The Prosperity Guardian
A sea route through which 12% of commercial transport passes is at risk. Therefore, the United States had to strengthen its defenses for Western cargoes. Last Tuesday, the naval ships of the Britain shot down 18 drones and three rockets fired by the Houthis. Washington has launched an international coalition “Prosperity Guardian,” which sent some USS ships and a British destroyer to patrol the area. Italywho chairs the G7 joined the deployment of the frigate.Virginio Pheasant', recently a second frigate was added, the 'Federico Martinengo“, who remains on patrol with the other ship for as long as is necessary for a “handover” between the two crews. At the end of the joint patrol, the “Virginio Fasan” will return to Italy.