SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Monday seized a South Korean-flagged tanker in the Gulf, Iranian media reported on Monday.
“A Korean ship was seized in Persian Gulf waters by the Revolutionary Guard’s navy and transferred to our country’s ports,” Fars news agency said without naming the vessel.
“This tanker had a South Korea flag and was seized over oil pollution and environmental hazards,” it added.
Earlier on Monday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) naval authority said on its website that an “interaction” between Iranian authorities and a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz led the shop to alter its course and proceed into Iranian waters, according to Reuters.
The British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the vessel as South Korean-flagged tanker HANKUK CHEMI and said it appeared to have been seized and had since been tracked inside Iranian territorial waters headed towards Bandar Abbas.
Ambrey said the vessel, owned by DM Shipping Co. had departed from Petroleum Chemical Quay in Jubail in Saudi Arabia before the incident.
Maritime security firm Dryad Global said on its website that chemical tanker HANKUK CHEMI has “likely been detained by Iranian forces” in the Strait of Hormuz while inbound to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV earlier said unnamed sources as saying a South Korean-flagged tanker carrying chemicals had been seized by Iran, Reuters reported.
