As of: January 29, 2024, 4:34 p.m
By: Vincent Fischer
Comments
Press
Split
Iranian Revolutionary Guards have seized a foreign oil tanker and arrested 14 crew members.
The ship was traveling on an important route for oil exports.
Tehran - Naval units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) again detained a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf on Sunday (January 28) for alleged smuggling.
The tanker, flying the flag of an Oceanian country, was carrying two million liters of illegal gas oil, an IRGC naval commander said in the southwestern Iranian port city of Bushehr.
Ships detained in Persian Gulf by Iran
The 14 foreign crew members, mostly Asians, were also arrested, the IRGC said, according to the Tasnim news agency.
There are repeated incidents in the Persian Gulf and in the Strait of Hormuz with units of the Revolutionary Guard and foreign oil tankers due to alleged fuel smuggling.
According to Iran, the ships are being detained by court order.
The oil is confiscated.
The Strait of Hormuz, a 55-kilometer-wide strait between Iran and Oman, is considered one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports.
Tensions in the Middle East: Oil prices continue to rise
There is an important sea route for oil transport not only in the Persian Gulf, but also on the Red Sea.
The Suez Canal connects Asia with Europe.
This transport route is currently largely avoided because Houthi militias supported by Iran repeatedly attack ships in the region.
The USA and Great Britain responded with military strikes.
Naval units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) arrested another foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf on Sunday for alleged smuggling (symbolic image).
© Konstantin Trubavin/Imago
The ongoing tensions in the Middle East are having an impact on the oil market.
Prices have continued to rise.
On Monday (January 29), a barrel (159 liters) of North Sea Brent for delivery in March cost 83.84 US dollars.
That was 29 cents more than on Friday.
The price for a barrel of the American variety West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 27 cents to $78.28.
My news
Baerbock hits the Union with the K question at a carnival event - “... and get Söder” read
Putin's T-90 is defeated in a duel - a steel colossus full of weak points
Two in one fell swoop: Ukrainian drones take out Russian tanks read
Russia reacts to major NATO maneuvers – and threatens “tragic consequences” read
If Russia wins: Hungarian right-wing extremist wants to annex Ukrainian territories read
French farmers attack foreign trucks and destroy goods - EU country issues travel warning read
Drone attack on US soldiers: Iran denies connection
In the past week, crude oil prices have increased by about five dollars.
The decisive factor is increasing tensions in the region around the Red Sea.
On Friday, Yemeni Houthi rebels said they attacked a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
Three US soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Jordan over the weekend.
US President Joe Biden has blamed a pro-Iranian group for the attack and the death of three US soldiers.
He promised retaliation.
Iran denied any connection to the attack.
(vfi with material from dpa)