Social media claims of three ships on fire in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz remain unverified by authorities, amid heightened tensions in the region related to Iran-Israel conflicts and concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies. The incident, if confirmed, could escalate regional tensions and impact global markets, especially given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.
A video obtained by the Associated Press shows commandos raiding a ship near the Strait of Hormuz, with a Mideast defense official attributing the attack to Iran amid heightened tensions with the West. The vessel involved is likely the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime, part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, with the Gulf of Oman being near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil trade route.
China, Iran, and Russia have commenced a joint naval drill in the Gulf of Oman, involving over 20 ships and support vessels. The exercise, named "Marine Security Belt 2024," aims to enhance trade, combat piracy and terrorism, support humanitarian activities, and exchange rescue information. This marks the fourth joint drill since 2019 and comes amid heightened regional tensions with the United States. The Gulf of Oman has been the site of attacks and ship seizures, with the U.S. attributing some incidents to Iran.
Russia, Iran, and China are set to conduct joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, named "Maritime Security Belt - 2024", with the aim of ensuring the safety of maritime economic activity. The drills will involve warships and aviation, and Russia's Pacific Fleet missile cruiser, Varyag, will lead the Russian grouping participating in the exercises. Representatives from several other countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India, and South Africa, will also observe the drills.
Iran has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, the St Nikolas, loaded with Iraqi crude oil destined for Turkey, in the Gulf of Oman. The tanker has been located east of Iran's Qeshm Island, and its ship tracking system is offline. This seizure is seen as retaliation for the United States' confiscation of the same vessel and its Iranian oil cargo last year. The U.S. had seized the ship in a sanctions enforcement operation, prompting warnings from Iran. This incident coincides with ongoing attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias targeting Red Sea shipping routes.
Iran's navy seized an oil tanker, the St. Nikolas, in the Gulf of Oman, citing retaliation for the "theft" of Tehran's oil. The ship, carrying 145,000 metric tons of crude oil, was en route from Basra, Iraq, to Turkey. This action is likely to escalate tensions in the region, following previous seizures and attacks on ships. The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the Middle East, with potential military consequences warned by US and British officials.
Iran's navy seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was previously involved in a dispute with the United States over Iranian oil. The seizure comes amid escalating tensions in the region, including attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. The vessel, previously known as the Suez Rajan, was captured by armed men, with Iran's navy claiming it was a lawful undertaking sanctioned by a court order. The incident adds to the ongoing confrontations between Iran and the U.S. in the region, with previous ship seizures and attacks attributed to both sides.
Iran's navy seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, previously involved in a dispute with the U.S. over seized Iranian oil, escalating tensions in the region. The seizure follows attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, prompting warnings of potential retaliatory strikes by U.S.-led forces. The vessel, previously known as the Suez Rajan, was captured by armed men in the waters between Oman and Iran, with Iran's state-run television linking it to the earlier oil seizure. The U.K. military's Maritime Trade Operations described the seizure as occurring in a vital waterway for oil trade. The incident adds to ongoing tensions in the region, including ship seizures and attacks attributed to Iran and the Houthis.
Iran's navy seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, previously involved in a U.S.-Iran dispute, escalating tensions in the region. The vessel, previously known as the Suez Rajan, had its cargo of Iranian oil seized by the U.S. over sanctions. This seizure comes after recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, raising the risk of retaliatory strikes by U.S.-led forces. The tanker, now named St. Nikolas, was boarded by armed men, and its owner, Empire Navigation, has not been contacted. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet did not comment on the incident.
Iranian forces have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, prompting condemnation from the U.S. government. The tanker, previously involved in a U.S.-Iran dispute, was en route to Turkey when it was seized and forced to Iranian territorial waters. The crew's status is unknown. This comes after Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a major attack on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The U.S. military presence in the region prevented injuries or damage, but multiple international shipping companies have diverted their vessels away from the area, causing delays.
Iran has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, St Nikolas, in the Gulf of Oman, with armed men reportedly boarding the vessel and ordering it to sail to an Iranian port. The tanker was in transit between Iraq and Turkey, and it is unclear why it was targeted. The US had previously seized the same tanker under its previous name, Suez Rajan, as part of sanctions enforcement against Iran. This incident appears to be separate from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, and the US and UK have hinted at potential military action against the rebels following a recent large-scale attack.
Iran seized a tanker carrying Iraqi crude destined for Turkey in retaliation for the confiscation of the same vessel and its oil by the United States last year, escalating regional tensions. The seizure coincides with recent attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias on Red Sea shipping routes. The vessel, previously seized by the US and carrying Iranian crude, was boarded by armed intruders and is en route to Iranian ports, with its AIS tracking system turned off. The incident is likely to exacerbate the ongoing dispute between Iran and the US.
The Iranian Navy seized an oil tanker in the waters between Iran and Oman, with UKMTO reporting that armed individuals boarded the vessel before it altered course towards Iranian territorial waters. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has been targeting international ships. Authorities are investigating the seizure, and the situation is ongoing.
Iran's navy has seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, claiming it was done in accordance with a court order. The tanker, previously known as Suez Rajan, was carrying Iraqi oil and had been involved in a yearlong dispute with the US over carrying sanctioned Iranian oil. The incident has raised tensions in the region, with the US and its allies having seized Iranian oil cargoes since 2019, leading to a series of attacks and ship seizures.
Iran seizes the oil tanker St. Nikolas in the Gulf of Oman, previously involved in a U.S.-Iran dispute over carrying sanctioned crude, after it surrendered Iranian oil to U.S. authorities. The vessel, staffed by 18 Philippine and one Greek crew members, was en route to Turkey after loading crude from the Iraqi Basrah Oil Terminal. The incident adds to maritime tensions in the region, with Yemen's Houthi movement targeting commercial vessels, and comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Oil prices are sensitive to Middle East turmoil, with Brent futures up to $78.03 per barrel and Nymex WTI higher at $72.62 per barrel.
