Iran Seizes Barbados Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iranian forces seized a Barbados-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, accusing the vessel of attempting to disrupt the country's oil exports, according to state media.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, conducted the operation and directed the tanker, named Ocean Koi, to Iran's southern coast, an army statement reported by the official IRNA news agency said. State television aired video footage showing Iranian commandos in small boats approaching the ship at night, boarding it with ladders, and taking control. The vessel, which has been under U.S. sanctions since February as part of Iran's shadow fleet used to evade restrictions, was carrying Iranian crude oil, the statement added. Upon arrival, it was handed over to judicial authorities.

Iranian officials described the tanker as exploiting regional conditions to harm national interests. "Army commandos seized this violating oil tanker carrying a cargo of the Islamic Republic of Iran's oil, which was trying to harm and disrupt oil exports," the IRNA statement said. The army pledged to defend Iran's assets in its territorial waters and not tolerate violators.

The seizure occurred amid heightened tensions...