Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps seizes UAE-linked oil tanker

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized an oil tanker linked to the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian news agency Fars, the vessel was intercepted for allegedly failing to follow designated maritime routes, failing to pay required service fees, and lacking necessary prior authorization.

The tanker, which was originally en route to Jebel Ali, has reportedly changed course and is being diverted toward the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas or near Qeshm Island. While Iranian media identifies the vessel as being connected to an Emirati company, maritime tracking has identified a Liberia-flagged tanker, the 'Amaraki', stopping near Qeshm after entering the strait on August 17.

This incident follows a series of maritime tensions in the region, including a recent projectile attack on a commercial vessel that resulted in one fatality. The recent surge in seizures and attacks has led to a significant decrease in commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.