In a significant maritime incident, the Iranian navy seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Jan. 11. This operation involved armed men in military uniforms and black masks boarding the vessel, which was previously at the center of a crisis between Iran and the United States.

The Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged St. Nikolas was boarded at about 7:30 am (0330 GMT) off Sohar in Oman and changed course towards Bandar-e-Jask in Iran, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.  The owner said they lost contact with the tanker early today.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and a British maritime security firm reported the incident, noting the unauthorized nature of the boarding. The vessel, known for its involvement in a previous dispute that led to the seizure of one million barrels of crude oil, was again targeted, underscoring the ongoing tensions in the strategically important Gulf of Oman region.

The Iranian government has confirmed the seizure of the tanker, marking yet another escalation in the complex maritime security landscape of the Middle East, particularly near the critical Strait of Hormuz.