In the latest escalation between the US and Iran, the two countries have confiscated each other’s oil tankers amid sanctions tension. The US reportedly seized Iranian oil on a tanker at sea in a sanctions enforcement operation, and days later, Iran seized another oil-laden tanker in retaliation, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.
The cargo seizure is the latest chapter in the ongoing sanctions pressure that the United States has imposed on Iran over its nuclear program. Tehran claims its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, while Washington suspects that Iran wants to develop a nuclear bomb.
As tensions between the two nations mount, maritime security company Ambrey reports that the United States confiscated Iranian oil at least five days before Iran seized the tanker in retaliation. Ambrey added that both tankers were Suezmax-sized and that Iran has previously responded tit-for-tat following the seizure of Iranian oil cargo.
Sources familiar with the matter have reported that Washington took control of the oil cargo aboard the Marshall Islands tanker Suez Rajan after securing an earlier court order. The tanker’s Greece-based manager, Empire Navigation, and the United States Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In response to the US’s action, Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday. Iranian state TV reported that the tanker ignored radio calls for eight hours following a collision with an Iranian boat, which left several crew members injured and three missing.
“Before using force, we tried to call the vessel …to stop but they did not cooperate,” said Iranian deputy navy commander Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajodini.
This isn’t the first time that such incidents have occurred. Last year, the United States tried to confiscate a cargo of Iranian oil near Greece, prompting Tehran to seize two Greek tankers in the Gulf. Greece’s supreme court later ordered the cargo returned to Iran, and the two Greek tankers were released.
In a move that is likely to further exacerbate tensions between the US and Iran, 12 US senators have urged President Joe Biden to remove Treasury Department policy hurdles that have prevented the Department of Homeland Security from seizing Iranian oil shipments for more than a year.
In 2020, Washington confiscated four cargoes of Iranian fuel aboard foreign ships that were bound for Venezuela and transferred them with the help of undisclosed foreign partners onto two other ships, which then sailed to the US.
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The recent seizure of oil tankers by both the US and Iran is likely to increase tensions between the two nations, which have been at odds for many years. With the situation still unresolved, it remains to be seen what will happen next and whether further escalation can be avoided. The international community, including the United Nations, has called for both sides to exercise restraint and respect international maritime law.
