Iranian navy boards ‘American oil tanker’ in Gulf of Oman

Vessel identified as Marshall Islands-flagged tanker St Nikolas, which was previously seized by US for carrying Iranian oil

Iran’s navy seized “an American oil tanker” in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency reported, amid rising tension in the waters of the Middle East.

Irna reported that the vessel “was stolen by the US and changed its name”.

Private intelligence firm Ambrey identified the ship as the Marshall Islands-flagged St Nikolas, which was earlier named the Suez Rajan, and was at the centre of a dispute between Iran and the US over alleged oil smuggling last year.

Iran seized the ship on Thursday in retaliation for a “violation committed by the Suez Rajan ship … and the theft of Iranian oil by the United States”, Irna reported.

The US responded to news of the event on Thursday, demanding the release of the ship.

“The Iranian government must immediately release the ship and its crew,” said Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman at the US State Department.

“This unlawful seizure of a commercial vessel is just the latest behavior by Iran or enabled by Iran, aimed at disrupting international commerce.”

The Pentagon claimed the ship seizure was a breach of international law.

“It’s another example of Iranian malign activity, threatening security and stability in the region, and we call on Iran to release the the tanker and the crew immediately,” said Pentagon spokesman Maj Gen Pat Ryder.

Earlier on Thursday, the UK Marine Trade Operations agency reported “unauthorised persons” in military uniform boarded a vessel off the coast of Oman.

The incident took place about 90km east of Sohar, the agency said on X, formerly Twitter.

“CSO [the shipping company’s security officer] reports hearing unknown voices over the phone along with the master’s voice,” it added. “Unable to make further contact with the vessel at this time.”

Ambrey said men covered surveillance cameras as they boarded the vessel in waters between Iran and Oman.

A representative, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the vessel had a crew of 19 – one from Greece and 18 from the Philippines – and was carrying 131,000 tonnes of oil from Basra, Iraq, to Aliaga, Turkey.

They confirmed CSO reports that communication with the vessel had been lost.

The ship had also “altered course towards Iranian waters,” the UKMTO said in a later update.

The St Nikolas was previously named the Suez Rajan when it was associated with Greek shipping company Empire Navigation.

Before it was bought by Empire Navigation, the Suez Rajan was owned by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management.