An oil tanker identified as the St Nikolas, was boarded by armed individuals wearing military uniforms and masks in the Gulf of Oman. The situation remains unclear, but suspicion immediately points to Iran, given the vessel’s past involvement in a dispute with the US Justice Department over the seizure of a million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO), responsible for warning sailors in the Middle East, reported that the incident occurred 50 miles off the coast of Oman. The ship’s security manager, after hearing “unknown voices over the phone” alongside the captain, could not be further contacted.
This development unfolds amidst heightened tensions in the nearby Red Sea, where Houthi rebel attacks from Yemen are causing disruptions to shipping routes. Private intelligence firm Ambrey revealed that six military individuals boarded the St Nikolas, covering surveillance cameras as they did so.
The incident took place in an area crucial for ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a significant portion of the global oil trade. Despite recent ship seizures by Iran in these waters, neither Iran nor Oman immediately acknowledged the boarding.
The oil tanker, previously known as the Suez Rajan and associated with the Greek shipping company Empire Navigation, faced scrutiny in February 2022 when it was suspected of carrying oil from Iran’s Khargh Island. After months in the South China Sea, the vessel sailed to the Texas coast, ultimately discharging its cargo in Houston as part of a Justice Department order.
In September, Empire Navigation pleaded guilty to smuggling sanctioned Iranian crude oil, agreeing to a $2.4 million fine. The latest incident raises concerns about maritime security and adds another layer to the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.