Iran Navy Seizes US-Bound Tanker With 24 Indian Crew Members

Off the coast of Oman, the Iranian Navy intercepted an oil tanker carrying 24 Indian crew members that was headed for the US, according to AFP.

The ship’s Turkish owner, Advantage Tankers, claims that the crew members kidnapped under these circumstances are in “no danger.”

The company went on to state that these incidents demonstrate that the safety of the crew members of vessels that have been kidnapped under such circumstances is not in jeopardy and that it was “in close contact with all relevant authorities to secure the release of the crew and vessel.”

The Iranian Navy was escorting the ship to a port due to an “international dispute,” the operator told AFP.

According to reports, the tanker collided with an Iranian Navy vessel, killing two of its crew members and injuring several more.

The US Navy has ordered the immediate release of the ship in response to Iran’s “continued harassment” in the Gulf seas.

In accordance with a statement from the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in the Middle East, “Iran’s actions are against international law and disruptive to regional security and stability.” “Iran must release the oil tanker right away.”

Advantage Sweet was the name given to the aforementioned ship. The final destination was Houston, Texas.

The Iranian vessel was at least Tehran’s fifth commercial vessel seizure in the last two years, according to the 5th Fleet.

According to the AP, the ship’s listed owner appeared to be a Chinese corporation.

On April 24, the US, UK, and EU strengthened sanctions against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a result of alleged human rights violations by Tehran. The confiscation followed this.

Since the US withdrew from a global agreement that halted Iran’s nuclear development in 2018 and re-imposed crippling sanctions on its economy, tensions have risen.

Reference: India Today, The Wire