Iran Admits Seizing Greek-Flagged "U.S. Oil Tanker"

Iran's Navy has admitted seizing a crude oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

This incident occurred as British and US warships were poised to strike Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. I Photo: Tasnim News Agency

Last week, masked gunmen in military uniforms stormed the St. Nikolas approximately 50 miles off the coast of Iran as tensions reached a boiling point in the Middle East, Juliana Cruz Lima reported for The Sun of the UK.

Despite sailing under a Greek flag, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the vessel belonged to the US.

It stated, "The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced the seizure of an American oil tanker with a court order in the waters of the Oman Sea." The seizure was reportedly confirmed by the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian news agency added.

The St. Nikolas was sailing in international waters after leaving the Iraqi port of Basra on January 7.

This incident occurred as British and US warships were poised to strike Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The latest sea clash came 24 hours after 18 drones and missiles were shot down in the Red Sea.

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