Iran seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

US and Iran Trade Fire in Strait of Hormuz, Iran Seizes Oil Tanker

A statement released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday claimed that Iran’s navy had seized an oil tanker, the Ocean Koi, in a “special operation” in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel is registered in Barbados and was reportedly attempting to disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that US forces had disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers as they attempted to access Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM commander Admiral Bradley Cooper said that US forces remain committed to enforcing the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran.

Earlier on Friday, the US and Iran traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump claiming that Iran had attacked three US Navy destroyers in the strait. However, Iran’s top joint military command accused the US of violating the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, resulting in 10 sailors being wounded and five more missing.

The incident occurred hours after a statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the administration was still expecting a response from Iran on its latest proposal for a more lasting end to the war. US Vice President JD Vance was also meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Washington, DC.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the latest attacks, stating that Tehran is reviewing the administration’s proposal and considering a response. The IRGC has previously seized ships in the Strait of Hormuz on multiple occasions, with this incident marking a shift in Iran’s strategy.

Source: Al Jazeera