Iranian forces seized an oil tanker named Talara as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The Talara is flagged in the Marshall Islands, a Central Pacific island chain protected by the United States, so the seizure could prompt a major international incident.

The Talara was sailing from the deep-water United Arab Emirates (UAE) port of Hamriyah to Singapore with a load of high-sulphur gasoil fuel when it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane along the Iranian coast. Iran often threatens to blockade the Strait of Hormuz when the regime in Tehran is feeling nervous or aggressive.

According to maritime security firm Ambrey, the tanker was “approached by three small boats” as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Isla

See Full Page