Iranian forces allegedly diverted UAE-bound tanker Talara toward their waters; ship management prioritizes crew safety amid suspicious activity.
Iranian forces allegedly seized an oil tanker sailing in the Gulf of Oman, diverting it toward the country’s territorial waters on Friday. The vessel, Talara, had been travelling from the UAE emirate of Ajman to Singapore when it was intercepted, a US defence official told AP. Iran has not commented on the incident.
Columbia Shipmanagement, the ship’s manager, said it lost contact with the tanker and is coordinating with maritime security agencies and the vessel owner. “The safety of the crew remains our foremost priority,” the company said.
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker reportedly made a sudden change in course after being approached by three small boats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, British maritime security firm Ambrey said. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre earlier issued an alert about “suspicious activity” 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, citing possible “state activity” as forcing the tanker toward Iranian waters.