Iran fast-attack boats ‘harassed’ ship in Strait of Hormuz says U.S. The US Navy said on Monday that its sailors. And the UK’s Royal Navy had come to the aid. A ship in the vital Strait of Hormuz after being “harassed” by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The US Navy said in a statement that three fast-attack guard ships with armed
Personnel approached the merchant vessel at close range on Sunday afternoon. It offered black-and-white footage from a US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon overhead. Showing three small ships close to the commercial vessel.
The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul. And the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster responded to the incident. With Lancaster launching a helicopter.
“The situation de-escalated about an hour later. When the merchant vessel confirmed. That the fast-attack vessel had left the scene,” the navy said. “The merchant vessel continued to navigate the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.”
Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, 20% of the world’s oil passes through it.
Although the Navy has not identified the vessel involved. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com analyzed by The Associated Press shows. That the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Venture changed course. While traveling through the strait during the incident. Information on its location was also provided. By the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. A British military operation overseeing traffic in the region. The ship also resembles images released by the Navy.
The ship’s registered manager Trust Bulkers of Athens
Greece, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Iran’s state media and Revolutionary Guard did not immediately acknowledge the incident. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The latest incident follows a series of maritime incidents involving. Iran since the United States withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.
The suspected American seizure of Suez Rajan. A tanker linked to a US private equity firm, believed. To be carrying Iranian crude oil sanctioned from Singapore. May have prompted Tehran to seize the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Advantage Suite recently. The ship was carrying crude oil to Kuwait for Chevron Corp., an energy company in San Ramon, California.
Although authorities have not acknowledged. The Suez Rajon’s detention, the vessel is now off the coast of Galveston. Texas, according to ship-tracking data analyzed by the AP.
Meanwhile, Iran impounded the Panama-flagged tanker Neovi
As it was dry docked in Dubai, UAE, bound for Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast. While carrying no cargo, S&P Global Market Intelligence data seen. By the AP showed that Niovi received oil in July 2020 from a vessel then known as the Oman Pride.
The US Treasury approved in August 2021. That the Oman Pride and others linked to the ship were “involved. An international oil smuggling network. That supported the Quds Force. The Guard’s expeditionary unit operating across the Middle East. Emails published online by Wikiran. A website seeking leaked documents from the Islamic Republic. Suggest that products carried by Neovi were sold. To companies in China without permission.
The recent seizures have put new pressure. On the United States, long the security guarantor of the Gulf Arab states. The UAE claimed last week that it had “withdrawn its participation. From a joint naval command called the Combined Maritime Force. Although the US Navy said it was still in the group. Meanwhile, the US military’s Central Command said on Saturday. That its chief had visited the region, met with Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and “discussed regional security concerns. As well as the US-UAE security partnership.”
Middle East-based commanders of the US, British. And French navies last month also transited the Strait of Hormuz aboard. An American warship on Friday. A sign of their united approach to keeping the vital waterway open after Iran seized two oil tankers.
