US State Department Demands Iran Immediately Release American Oil Tanker and Crew

The US State Department has demanded that Iran release the St Nikolas oil tanker and its crew, which were seized in the Gulf of Oman. According to British security company Ambrey, the vessel, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was captured by armed individuals while approaching the city of Sohar in Oman, after which it changed course and headed toward the Iranian port of Jask.

Iranian media have reported that the tanker has been "detained" by the Iranian naval forces based on a court ruling. The tanker was seized on January 11 in the Gulf of Oman, as stated by US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel during a press briefing, which was broadcast on the department's YouTube channel.

"Iranian authorities must immediately release the ship and its crew," he said. He added that such actions by Iran aim to "disrupt international trade." On the evening of January 11, Iranian Tasnim agency reported, citing the press service of Iran's naval forces, that the country's naval forces had "detained" tankers linked to the United States by court order.

According to the agency, several months prior, under a different name, the Suez Rajan tanker was allegedly involved in stealing a shipment of oil belonging to Iran, sending it to one of the American ports, and making it available to the US. Later, the tankers' name was changed to St Nikolas, as reported by Tasnim.

Reuters, citing data from Fars, reported that on January 11, the tanker was transporting Iraqi oil to Turkey. The agency stated that Iranian military personnel detained it in response to similar actions by the US a few months ago.