Iran Seizes Oil Tanker Off Oman In Response To Last Year’s US Seizure, Confiscation; US Spokesperson Reacts (Photo on X S.L. Kanthan @Kanthan2030 )

In another move of escalation in the region, Iran seized a vessel, St Nikolas, with Iraqi crude left for Turkey as a response to the US confiscation of the same vessel and its oil last year. Iran seized the vessel on today (Saturday). Condemning the seizure, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said that no justification whatsoever to seize it. “No justification whatsoever to seize it, none whatsoever. They need to let it go.”

Pentagon also responded to the tanker seizure saying that the Iranian forces unlawfully boarded St Nikolas in the Gulf of Oman and forced it to change course toward Iranian territorial waters.

The US had last year seized St Nikolas in what it calls a sanction enforcement operation when the ship under the name “Suez Rajan” was sailing under a different name. However, Iran reacted to the US move saying that their confiscation of St Nikolas will not go unanswered.

Iran’s seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged St Nikolas happens at a time when the attacks have been continuing by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen targeting the vessels in the Red Sea. “After the theft of Iranian oil by the United States last year, St Nikolas tanker was seized by Iran”s Navy this morning with a judicial order. it is en route to Iranian ports,” NDTV reported citing sources.

According to reports, armed forces boarded the tanker when it reached the Oman city of Sohar. The St Nikolas’s AIS tracking system was turned off as it moved towards the Iranian port of Bandar-e-Jask, NDTV reported citing British maritime security firm Ambrey.

Confirming the development, Turkish oil refiner Tupras said the communication with the oil tanker has been cut off in the water of Oman. “Communication with the oil tanker, St Nikolas, under Marshall Islands flag and owned by the Greek shipowner Empire Navigation has been cut off around 06:30 on Jan. 11 in the waters of Oman,” it said, adding that it had bought the cargo from Iraqi state marketer SOMO. Reports say that the ship was loaded with nearly 145,000 metric tonnes of oil. The vessel seized by the US last year was carrying more than 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil.

However, the U.S. Navy”s Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said that the Iran seizure is contrary to international law.  The action “threatens maritime security and stability,” it added