Oil Tanker Seized in Gulf of Oman by Unauthorized Individuals
An oil tanker that was previously at the center of a crisis between Iran and the United States has been boarded by “unauthorized” individuals in military uniforms in the Gulf of Oman, according to a warning from a British military advisory group and a private security firm. The details of the incident are still unclear, but suspicion immediately fell on Iran due to the ship’s history.
Possible Iranian Involvement
The seized tanker, formerly known as the Suez Rajan, was involved in a yearlong dispute that led to the US Justice Department seizing 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil from it. This latest incident comes after weeks of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns of retaliatory strikes by US-led forces.
Details of the Seizure
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British military-run group that provides warnings to sailors in the Middle East, reported that the apparent seizure took place in the waters between Oman and Iran. The ship’s security manager reported hearing “unknown voices over the phone” before contact was lost. The individuals who boarded the vessel were described as wearing black military-style uniforms with black masks.
Identity of the Tanker
The private security firm Ambrey identified the seized ship as the oil tanker St. Nikolas. It was previously named the Suez Rajan and associated with the Greek shipping company Empire Navigation. The tanker had been loading crude oil off the city of Basra, Iraq, bound for Aliaga, Turkey.
History of the Suez Rajan
The Suez Rajan first drew attention in February 2022 when it was suspected of carrying oil from Iran’s Khargh Island. Satellite photos and shipping data supported this allegation. The ship later sailed to the Texas coast without explanation and discharged its cargo to another tanker. In September, Empire Navigation pleaded guilty to smuggling sanctioned Iranian crude oil in connection with the tanker.
International Response
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet and Iran’s mission to the United Nations have not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident. The seizure of the Suez Rajan in the past led to Iran seizing two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. The waters around the strait have seen a series of ship seizures and attacks attributed to Iran, as well as tensions between Iran and the US Navy.
Continued Tensions in the Region
The recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea have further heightened tensions in the region. The US and its allies have been seizing Iranian oil cargoes since 2019, leading to retaliatory actions by Iran. The Houthis claim their attacks are aimed at supporting Palestinians in Israel’s conflict with Hamas, but they have targeted ships with no ties to Israel.
Meanwhile, satellite tracking data has shown that an Iranian cargo vessel suspected of being a spying platform in the Red Sea has left the waterway. The Behshad had been in the Red Sea since 2021 before transiting through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Gulf of Aden.
