In recent days, the United States seized Iranian oil on a tanker at sea as part of a sanctions enforcement operation, according to three sources, and Iran seized another oil-laden tanker in retaliation days later, according to a maritime security firm.
After years of US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, the cargo seizure marks the latest escalation.
Iran does not acknowledge the sanctions, and its crude exports are on the rise.
Tehran asserts that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, whereas Washington suspects that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon.
According to the maritime security firm Ambrey, the US confiscation occurred at least five days before Iran’s action on Thursday.
“Ambrey has determined that the Iranian Navy’s seizure was in response to U.S. action,” it advised clients.
Both tankers were of Suezmax dimensions. Iran has previously retaliated in kind in response to crude cargo seizures.”
The sources, who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said that Washington seized the crude cargo aboard the Marshall Islands tanker Suez Rajan after obtaining a court order.
The last position reported for the tanker was near southern Africa on April 22 according to ship monitoring data.
Empire Navigation, based in Greece, and the United States Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Thursday, Iran captured a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman, the latest seizure or attack by Tehran on commercial vessels in sensitive Gulf waters, according to the United States Navy.
Iranian state television said Friday that the tanker ignored radio calls for eight hours after colliding with an Iranian boat. Resulting in the injury of several crewmembers and the disappearance of three.
Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajodini, deputy commander of the Iranian navy, told a broadcaster, “Before using force. We attempted to call the vessel…to stop, but they did not comply.”
A UN spokesperson stated on Friday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was aware of the seizure in the Gulf of Oman. And reaffirmed his support for international maritime law.
Iran seized two Greek ships in the Persian Gulf in 2012 as the US tried to capture Iranian oil near Greece.
The supreme court of Greece ordered the cargo to be returned to Iran. Later, the two Greek tankers were liberated.
In a move likely to exacerbate tensions, twelve US senators on Thursday urged President Joe Biden to remove Treasury Department policy obstacles that have prevented Homeland Security from seizing Iranian crude shipments for more than a year.
In 2020, the United States seized four shipments of Iranian fuel destined for Venezuela and transferred them to two other ships with the assistance of unidentified foreign partners, which then sailed to the United States.
