The already high tensions in the Persian Gulf have ratcheted up another notch after the Islamic Republic of Iran reportedly seized yet another oil tanker ship, the third such seizure in the past month.
Iranian state-run TV claimed on Sunday that an Iraqi-flagged tanker ship was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after it was suspected of smuggling fuel to other Arab nations in the gulf.
Tanker seized
The New York Post reported that the seized ship has been taken to an Iranian port, and its seven crew members have been detained. The nationalities of the crew members have not been revealed, nor have any further details of the seizure been divulged thus far.
“The IRGC’s naval forces have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was smuggling fuel for some Arab countries,” IRGC commander Ramezan Zirahi said in an appearance on Iran’s state-run TV.
The seizure occurred near the Iranian-owned Farsi Island in the northern part of the Persian Gulf that is the site of an IRGC naval base. The ship was allegedly carrying about 185,000 gallons of fuel.
Iraqi government denies ties
The BBC reported that despite the Iranian claim that the seized tanker was of Iraqi origin, the Iraqi oil ministry denied having any ties to the tanker ship. “The ministry does not export diesel to the international market,” it said in a statement.
While authorities determine to which nation the seized ship actually belongs, two unnamed port officials in Iraq told the BBC that the vessel was most likely privately owned by an Iraqi trader.
It remains to be seen what sort of impact this seizure of a potentially privately-owned ship, even one with an admittedly “small” load of fuel, will have on the already escalating tensions in the region.
Instability on the rise
There can be little doubt that relations with Iran have been strained ever since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed economic sanctions against Iran. This has been evidenced in recent months by Iranian attacks against tanker ships and tit-for-tat shoot-downs of Iranian and U.S. surveillance drones over the Persian Gulf.
During that time, the United Kingdom seized an Iranian tanker in the Mediterranean Sea near the Strait of Gibraltar that was accused of illegally smuggling oil to Syria. In retaliation for that seizure, Iran took custody of a British-flagged tanker, just days after the country had seized a Panamanian-flagged tanker ship.
These back-and-forth seizures of tanker ships and accusations of smuggling do nothing to improve the situation in the region and only serve to further heighten tensions.
Hopefully, cool and rational heads will prevail and the issues at the core of the currently uneasy state of affairs can be dealt with in a manner that minimizes the chances for conflict and bloodshed, which appears to be where this all could be headed if nothing changes.
286 Responses
I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogging and certainly savored your web-site. More than likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You definitely have good stories. Thanks a bunch for revealing your web page.
I just want to say I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and actually enjoyed this page. More than likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You amazingly come with superb articles. Bless you for sharing with us your website page.
Shop; Unique Functions. Simple Product Layouts. Post with review. Advanced Product Layout. Best conversion pages. Frontend Search · Listing example …
Welcome to iBeautys Best, iBeautys Best is the number one destination for Latest Beauty Products. Here you can easily buy your desired product from all over the world with very reasonable price.
Welcome to iBeautys Best, iBeautys Best is the number one destination for Latest Beauty Products. Here you can easily buy your desired product from all over the world with very reasonable price.
David-Home Northeast is your premier source for all of your Real Estate investing needs. We provide a variety of solutions for sellers looking to sell fast and investors looking to grow their real estate investment portfolios for better returns. At David-Home Northeast, we are dedicated to improving and redeveloping the areas that we operate in. We specialize in helping sellers of distressed properties (single and multi-family homes, commercial, retail, bank REOs, etc.) find buyers looking to invest. Let us put our network of cash home buyers and private money lenders to work for you so you can say “David” to that old unwanted property.
David-Home Northeast is your premier source for all of your Real Estate investing needs. We provide a variety of solutions for sellers looking to sell fast and investors looking to grow their real estate investment portfolios for better returns. At David-Home Northeast, we are dedicated to improving and redeveloping the areas that we operate in. We specialize in helping sellers of distressed properties (single and multi-family homes, commercial, retail, bank REOs, etc.) find buyers looking to invest. Let us put our network of cash home buyers and private money lenders to work for you so you can say “David” to that old unwanted property.
BUY CHEAP IBOGAINHow much ibogaine dosage should I take
Natural Releaf CBD | New York CBD Store with locations in Murray Hill, NY | Upper East Side, NY | White Plains, NY Serving New York City, NY and Westchester, NY High Quality CBD Products With Lab Test
How does Ibogaine cure addiction
Love watching sunset !
Love watching sunset !
Quality content is the crucial to invite the users to pay a quick visit the web site, that’s what this site is providing.
Best view i have ever seen !
Löydä aito seksi chatti kaveri jo tänään! Rekisteröidy ilmaiseksi ja aloita keskustelut jo tänään! Seksi chat ei jätä ketään kylmäksi edes tammikuussa!
innovation
Love watching sunset !
Love watching sunset !
12 PACK SINGLE SERVE COFFEE CAPSULES
Temperature Reading
GEM-CAR auto repair shop management software is arguably the most comprehensive software of its kind currently available. Lauded for its easy to use modules including CRM, digital inspection and electronic punch clock: it provides the repair shop operator with a complete system to run the business. GEM-CAR puts the shop operator firmly in the driver’s seat. And if you are a fleet operator look for GEM-FLEET our fleet management software.
I haven¡¦t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
What i don’t understood is in fact how you are no longer actually a lot more neatly-appreciated than you might be right now. You are very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, made me personally believe it from numerous numerous angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be interested until it¡¦s something to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times handle it up!
SHOP ALL BIKE mission is to provide only the finest & high quality Bike Accessories. Products available, backed by fast, efficient and accurate service. SHOP ALL BIKE is committed to doing all of this, and still maintain very competitive pricing
Thanks for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
where to buy cbd in nyc
vedonlyöntivihjeet
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all important infos. I would like to look more posts like this.
cheap products
Find The Top Rated Web Hosting
Just a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding pattern .
Our Mushroomburger The signature Mushroomburger patty was created back in 1979. Still to everyone’s surprise, it is approximately made up of 50 mushrooms and 50 real beef.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
I’ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Site Rank Services offers affordable premium SEO packages & helps increase the visibility of your site in the search engines. We help you generate more profits
What i don’t realize is in fact how you’re not actually a lot more smartly-favored than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You know thus significantly in relation to this subject, made me for my part imagine it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women are not interested except it’s one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts
Shopify fitness store