IRGC Seizes Marshall Islands-Flagged Oil Tanker

On Thursday, around 1:15 PM local time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized an oil tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands in the international waters of the Sea of Oman. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet issued a statement confirming the news and added that it is closely monitoring the situation. According to the statement, the tanker had established an emergency contact during the seizure. The Fifth Fleet described the IRGC's action as contrary to international law and a disruptor of regional security and stability. The statement noted that Iran's provocative actions against vessels and violations of navigation rights in international waters pose a threat to maritime security and the global economy. It reminded that the Islamic Republic has seized at least five commercial vessels in the Middle East over the past two years. Tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the region have escalated in recent weeks. The Fifth Fleet denied Iran's claim last Thursday about forcing an American submarine to surface while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, one day later, the U.S. destroyer 'Paul Hamilton' stopped a fishing boat carrying 802 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish, whose crew were Iranian. The first unmanned boat of the U.S. Navy passed through the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM is ramping up efforts to utilize artificial intelligence in tracking Iranian drones. The New York Times reported that Iran is seeking to attack Israeli ships. The commander of the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf stated that Iran has drawn everyone's attention.