Iran seizes second oil tanker this week, US Navy alleges
Mike Brest
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Navy.
This oil tanker was sailing from Dubai toward the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates when a dozen IRGC Navy ships swarmed the vessel in the middle of the strait and forced it to turn around and head toward Iranian territorial waters off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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The Navy declassified and released footage of the incident captured from an aerial perspective.
This is the second time Iran has seized a foreign vessel this week after the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet was taken last week after leaving Kuwait en route to Houston, the U.S. Navy announced over the weekend.
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Wednesday’s incident marks the fifteenth time over the past two years that Iran has harassed, attacked, or interfered with a merchant vessel.
“Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability,” the 5th Fleet said in a statement. “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are unwarranted, irresponsible and a present threat to maritime security and the global economy.”