Iran Has Seized A British Oil Tanker

July 19, 2019 2:47 pm

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it has seized a British oil tanker that was passing through the Strait of Hormuz.  The IRGC’s website, sepahnews.com, says the tanker “Stena Impero” was seized Friday by IRGC forces for “non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations” and has transferred the vessel to an Iranian port.  The report did not elaborate what port it was transferred to.  The operator of oil tanker Stena Impero says it is unable to contact the ship after it was approached by unidentified vessels and a helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. Northern Marine Management and shipping firm Stena Bulk say in a statement that the vessel was in international waters and is now heading toward Iran. The ship has 23 crew aboard.  The British government says it is urgently seeking information after reports Iran has seized the British-flagged ship.