M/V Talara (Credit: Ruud Coster)
US: Iran illegally seized commercial tanker in Strait of Hormuz
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- Iranian forces seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/V Talara in international waters.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boarded the ship via helicopter and moved it to Iranian waters.
- US CENTCOM condemned the seizure as a violation of international law.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iranian forces illegally boarded and seized a commercial tanker in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz on November 14.
The vessel, identified as the M/V Talara, was intercepted after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel arrived via helicopter. The IRGC then navigated the tanker into Iranian territorial waters, where it remains under their control.
In a statement, CENTCOM said, “Iran's use of military forces to conduct an armed boarding and seizure of a commercial vessel in international waters constitutes a blatant violation of international law, undermining freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce. We call on Iran to articulate to the international community the legal basis for its actions.”
US forces added that they would continue to monitor the situation closely and cooperate with allies to maintain regional stability. “US forces will continue to remain vigilant and work alongside our partners and allies to promote regional peace and stability,” the statement said.
