Dubai (United Arab Emirates), 14 November (LaPresse/AP) – Iran has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US defence official. The Talara was travelling from Ajman in the United Arab Emirates to Singapore when Iranian forces intercepted it. The Tehran government has not yet confirmed the seizure. A US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone had been monitoring the area for hours, observing the operation, according to flight tracking data analysed by the Associated Press. Private security firm Ambrey described the incident as three small boats approaching the tanker. The British Maritime Operations Centre confirmed that the ship was forced into Iranian territorial waters. Columbia Shipmanagement, the Cypriot company that operates the ship, later said it had “lost contact” with the tanker, which was carrying high-sulphur diesel fuel. The company stressed that the safety of the crew was its top priority and said it was coordinating with the relevant authorities and maritime security agencies to re-establish contact.
© Copyright LaPresse
