2023-04-28 23:36:45
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States seized Iranian oil from a tanker at sea in recent days in a sanctions enforcement operation, three sources said, and days later Iran seized another tanker loaded with oil in retaliation, according to a maritime security company.
As oil markets remain tense, the seizure of the cargo is the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran after years of US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran does not recognize sanctions and its oil exports have been increasing.
Tehran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, while Washington suspects Iran wants to develop a nuclear bomb.
Maritime security firm Ambrey said the US confiscation took place at least five days before Iran’s action on Thursday.
“Ambrey has assessed the seizure by the Iranian Navy as a response to US action,” the company said in a statement to customers.
The sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Washington had taken control of the oil cargo aboard the Marshall Islands tanker Suez Rajan after obtaining an earlier court order. The tanker’s last position was reported off southern Africa on April 22, ship tracking data showed.
The ship’s management, Greece-based company Empire Navigation, and the US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The US Navy said Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, the latest Tehran seizure or attack on commercial vessels in sensitive Gulf waters.
(Reporting by Jonathan Saul in London, Timothy Gardner in Washington; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York and Dubai Staffing).
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Source:
Reuters
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