Iran Claims It Had a 'Judicial Order' to Seize the Richmond Voyager Oil Tanker

On Thursday, Iran claimed that its unsuccessful attempt to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz was backed by a 'judicial order' from the judicial authorities of Hormozgan for the Richmond Voyager tanker. According to this claim, the Richmond Voyager had collided with an Iranian vessel and fled the scene, prompting the Islamic Republic's military to pursue the tanker. The U.S. Navy announced on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic attempted to seize two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday morning, even firing at one of them. The U.S. Navy's statement indicated that in both cases, Iranian naval vessels retreated after the U.S. Navy's response, allowing both commercial ships to continue their journeys. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fifth Fleet, stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran made attempts to seize commercial tankers legally passing through international waters. He added, 'The U.S. Navy immediately responded and prevented their capture.' According to the Associated Press, he noted that the gunfire directed at the second ship did not result in casualties or significant damage. A maritime intelligence organization named Ambrey reported that the second ship fired upon was Greek-owned and sailing under the Bahamian flag. This vessel, managed by an American company, was transporting oil from the UAE to Singapore. The organization stated that the shooting occurred twenty-eight nautical miles north of Muscat, the capital of Oman. A spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, in response to a Voice of America reporter regarding the U.S. Navy's reaction to Iran's attempt to seize the two ships, said, 'We appreciate the Central Command of the Navy for their exceptional efforts to prevent the seizure of two more oil tankers by Iran.' This senior National Security official added, 'The United States, along with its allies and partners around the world and in the Middle East, will respond to Iran's aggression to ensure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and other vital waterways.' The U.S. Navy claims that in the past two years, Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels and harassed several others, most of these actions occurring in the Strait of Hormuz.