The Iranian Navy recently revealed footage showing the capture of an international ship in the Gulf of Oman.
On Thursday, the United States Navy said that Iranian soldiers captured the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet as it sailed from Kuwait to Houston.
Advantage Sweet was captured by the Iranian Navy when it was transiting the international waters in the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement released by US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).
Iran's recurrent involvement with ships and navigational rights in the area has alarmed NAVCENT, which has warned that such "harassment" threatens maritime safety and the worldwide economy. Fox News reported that Iran has illegally taken possession of at least five commercial ships in the Middle East during the last two years.
Read Also: Fatal US Army Helicopter Collision in Alaska
Iran Claims Seized Vessel Collided with Iranian Ship
The oil tanker's operator stated on Friday that as many as 24 Indian crew members were on board the ship when it was taken by Iranian commandos, according to First Post.
According to a representative from Advantage Tankers, the ship had taken up oil in Kuwait and was contracted by Chevron Corp. MarineTraffic reported that the vessel was on its way to Houston, Texas.
Iran's newest seizure is the Turkish-managed, Chinese-owned Advantage Sweet, which comes amid rising tensions with the United States over Iran's nuclear program, according to KION 46. Despite Iran's claims that the tanker was taken because it collided with another Iranian ship, no proof has been shown.
The Islamic Republic has used previous ship captures as leverage in discussions with Western powers.
