Exclusive; White House: Iran Must Immediately Release Seized Oil Tanker

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said on Wednesday regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran's action of seizing another oil tanker in international waters of the Persian Gulf, that the United States, in line with the international community, demands the immediate release of this ship and its crew. The spokesperson continued: "Iran's actions are contrary to international law and disrupt the security and stability of the region, and the continued harassment of ships and Iran's interference in maritime rights in the region's waters is unjustifiable, irresponsible, and a threat to maritime security and the global economy." The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday, along with recorded images, the seizure of a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to this statement, the tanker "Newvy" was seized early Wednesday morning, on the 13th of Ordibehesht, while passing through the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC Navy. CENTCOM stated that IRGC speedboats forced this oil tanker to change course and head towards the coastal waters of Iran near Bandar Abbas. This is the second time in recent days that the Islamic Republic has seized an oil tanker. About a week ago, the U.S. Fifth Fleet reported the seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker by the Iranian Navy in the open waters of the Sea of Oman; an action that the United States considers contrary to international law and disruptive to security and stability in the region.