Iran Revolutionary Guards Seize South Korean-Flagged Tanker in Gulf

Iran

January 4th, 12:37pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessel approaches an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. (AP file photo)

A South Korean-flagged tanker has been seized by Iran, Iranian media said on Monday. Iranian media said the vessel had been seized by the country’s Revolutionary Guards navy for polluting the Gulf with chemicals, according to Reuters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) naval authority earlier said on its website that an “interaction” between Iranian authorities and a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz led the ship to alter its course and proceed into Iranian waters. British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the vessel as South Korean-flagged tanker HANKUK CHEMI and said it appeared to have been seized and had since been tracked inside Iranian territorial waters headed towards Bandar Abbas.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2720846/iran-revolutionary-guards-seize-south-korean-flagged-tanker-gulf