Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

U.S. Oil Tanker Snatched: Iran’s Risky Maritime Maneuver

Eugene Park Views  

사진로이터
Reuters

It has been claimed that Iran has seized a U.S. oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency in Iran reported on the 11th, local time, that the Iranian navy, acting on a court order, had seized the U.S. oil tanker St. Nicholas in the Gulf of Oman earlier that morning. The report stated that the seizure was due to allegations that the tanker had previously taken Iranian oil and supplied it to the United States this year.

The Strait of Hormuz is a maritime route for major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Earlier that morning, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) warned that unauthorized individuals wearing black masks and military uniforms had boarded the St. Nicholas, sailing near the Gulf of Oman.

The UKMTO call abruptly ended when an unknown voice came through the receiver, and the ship’s installed camera captured the individuals. They tried to call back but couldn’t get through.

St. Nicholas, traveling from Basra, Iraq, to Aliaga, Turkey, altered its course, heading for the Iranian port of Jask, as per satellite tracking data analyzed by AP.

Empire Navigation, the Greek shipping company responsible for operating St. Nicholas, clarified that the tanker currently has a crew of 19 people on board, comprising one Greek national and 18 Filipinos. In light of these developments,

Bloomberg highlighted the increasing tensions on a crucial global trade route, noting that Iran’s direct intervention in the seizure of St. Nicholas adds to the existing strain caused by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are already posing threats in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, Iran is suspected of carrying out these actions in retaliation against Israel.

However, foreign media have pointed out that a Greek shipping company operates the ship without connection to the U.S. In response, Reuters reported, “It remains unclear why Iran has linked this ship to the U.S.”

The St. Nicholas had previously been a source of conflict between the U.S. and Iran due to suspicions of transporting Iranian oil in February 2022. After a year-long dispute, the U.S. Department of Justice seized one million barrels of Iranian crude oil. Empire Navigation admitted to the charge of smuggling Iranian crude oil and agreed to pay a $2.4 million fine in September of last year.

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[ASIA] Latest Stories

  • From Perfect Scorer to Perfect Criminal: The Shocking Gangnam Murder
  • Parole Decision for President's Mother-in-Law: Politics or Justice?
  • North Korea's Immoral Pension Plan Amounts to Less Than $1
  • North Koreans Paying Up to $85,000 to Defect the Country
  • South Korea Exposes North Korea's Human Rights Abuses
  • North Korea Indirectly Warns the U.S. With Nuclear Retaliation Simulation

Weekly Best Articles

  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist
  • THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution
  • Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected
  • Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 3
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 4
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

  • 5
    Tesla’s Roadster Returns: 621 Miles on One Charge and Insane Speed

    TECH 

Weekly Best Articles

  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist
  • THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution
  • Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected
  • Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 3
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 4
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

  • 5
    Tesla’s Roadster Returns: 621 Miles on One Charge and Insane Speed

    TECH 

Share it on...