Iran Seizes Marshall Islands Tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US Confirms

A United States defence official said Iranian units intercepted the oil products tanker Talara on Friday as it sailed from the Emirate of Ajman towards Singapore. The vessel was diverted into Iranian territorial waters, marking the first such seizure in the Strait of Hormuz in several months. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing intelligence sensitivities.

The incident took place near the entrance to the Persian Gulf, where roughly one-fifth of all internationally traded oil transits. Data reviewed by the Associated Press indicated that a US Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone monitored the area for several hours as the operation unfolded.

Maritime security firms reported that the Talara was approached by several small boats shortly before it veered off course. Ambrey, a private security group, described the encounter as involving three vessels closing in on the tanker. Britain’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, which tracks regional incidents, said it believed “state activity” forced the ship into Iranian waters.

The tanker’s manager, Columbia Shipmanagement, confirmed it had lost contact with the crew. The company said communication ceased at around 08:22 local time as the ship was sailing off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. It added that efforts were under way with international agencies and the vessel’s owners to re-establish communication. The Talara is owned by Pasha Finance, a Cyprus-based firm.

Marine Traffic data placed the tanker’s last reported signal near Iran at approximately 08:10 GMT. Authorities in both the United Arab Emirates and Iran have not commented publicly on the incident. British maritime risk consultancy Vanguard said the vessel appeared to have been redirected towards the Iranian coastline by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Iran has previously detained foreign-flagged ships over claims of maritime violations or unresolved commercial disputes. The most recent major episode occurred in 2022, when two Greek tankers were seized and held for several months. Earlier maritime confrontations, including limpet mine explosions on commercial vessels in 2019 and a 2021 drone attack on an Israeli-linked tanker that killed two crew members, have been blamed on Iran by the United States and its allies.

This latest seizure follows a period of heightened regional tension. A 12-day conflict erupted in June between Iran and Israel, during which United States forces carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The maritime environment around the region has also been affected by attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran and has targeted ships during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Those assaults significantly reduced traffic through the Red Sea, another major global shipping corridor.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it could disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow passage is considered among the most strategically important waterways globally, and the United States Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet has long conducted patrols to ensure its security. Friday’s seizure underscores the fragility of maritime stability in the area at a time when regional military confrontations continue to reshape security calculations.

Context The Strait of Hormuz forms the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. With more than a fifth of the world’s traded oil flowing through it, disruptions can influence global energy markets almost instantly. Past confrontations involving Iran have contributed to price volatility and prompted international calls for stronger maritime protection.

The decision by former United States President Donald Trump to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran contributed to a cycle of tensions that have increasingly spilled into the maritime domain. While diplomatic efforts have continued intermittently, recent conflicts in the Middle East have amplified risks for commercial shipping and complicated attempts to ease hostilities.