US Reaction to Tanker Seizure: Iran Must Immediately Release This 'Greek-Owned' Ship and Its Crew

Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, condemned the seizure of the 'Greek-owned' tanker by the Islamic Republic on Thursday, January 11, and called for the immediate release of the tanker and its crew. According to Patel, 'the St. Nicholas tanker, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and owned by Greece, was seized while legally navigating in the waters of the Sea of Oman.' The Deputy Spokesperson emphasized that the Iranian government 'must immediately release [this] ship and its crew.' He stated that 'this illegal seizure of a commercial vessel is the latest behavior from Iran or enabled by Iran to disrupt international trade,' which, from the US perspective, leads to 'increased uncertainty for commercial shipping and for the regional and global economy.' Patel added that the 'provocative' actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran or enabled by it are 'a threat to the global economy' and 'must stop.' The Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department said the United States will continue its efforts to deter and counter a range of 'concerning and destabilizing behaviors' from the Islamic Republic of Iran. In response to a question about whether the US has consulted with its regional partners regarding this matter, he stated that 'Iran's destabilizing actions' have always been a topic of discussion with international partners, especially those in the region who are 'immediately affected by some of these actions,' and will continue to be. He also mentioned the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, noting that 'about 30 percent' of the world's tankers pass through the Red Sea, and these actions increase uncertainty in the global supply chain and economy, as well as pressure on workers worldwide. Therefore, the United States continues to work closely with its regional partners on 'appropriate steps.' The Deputy Spokesperson reacted to claims from the Iranian representation at the United Nations that this tanker seizure was 'legal,' stating that the US will continue to vigorously enforce sanctions against the Islamic Republic, especially in the oil and petrochemical sectors. He stressed that buyers of Iranian oil expose themselves to the risk of violating US sanctions and should not allow their supply chains to be exploited by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Patel's remarks came just hours after Iranian state-affiliated news agencies reported on January 11 that the Iranian Navy had seized 'an American tanker.' Iranian media claimed, with a photo of armed individuals landing on the deck of a ship from a helicopter, that this action was in retaliation for the 'theft' of Iranian oil by the US and was carried out with a 'court order.' The 'St. Nicholas' tanker, flying the 'Marshall Islands' flag, previously operated under the name 'Suez Rajan' and was seized in Greece earlier this year during the enforcement of sanctions against the Islamic Republic by the United States. At that time, the US announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had attempted to violate US sanctions by sending smuggled Iranian oil to China. The 'Suez Rajan' was carrying 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil at the time of its seizure and final confiscation by the US. This tanker was unable to discharge Iranian crude oil for two and a half months due to fears of US secondary sanctions, and after discharging its cargo, it was renamed 'St. Nicholas.' Reuters reported on Thursday, citing the British maritime security company 'Ambrey,' that the automatic identification system of this tanker had been turned off and it had changed course toward the port of Jask in Hormozgan province. The operator of 'St. Nicholas,' identified as 'Empire Navigation,' told Reuters that this tanker was carrying 145 tons of oil at the time of its seizure, which it had loaded at the port of Basra, Iraq, and was heading to 'Aliaga' in western Turkey. The tanker had 18 Filipino crew members and one Greek crew member and was under lease to the Turkish refinery 'Tupras.' Officials from the 'UK Maritime Trade Operations' also reported receiving a report indicating that 'four to five armed individuals' in 'military black uniforms and black masks' boarded a tanker 50 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar, Oman. According to them, this ship changed course toward Iranian coastal waters, and communication with it was lost. This latest adventure of the Islamic Republic in the region's waters comes amid unprecedented maritime tensions, following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, with Iranian-backed Houthis carrying out at least 26 attacks on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that the ongoing attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea would have 'consequences.' Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen to immediately cease attacks on ships in the Red Sea and supported the US-led task force to defend the vessels. Security Council members approved the US-proposed resolution with 11 votes in favor, four abstentions, and no votes against. The seized tanker 'Suez Rajan' was headed to the Bahamas after being renamed. The discharge of 'the seized Iranian oil cargo' in Texas began despite threats from the IRGC. Iran summoned the Swiss chargé d'affaires over the seizure of the sanctioned oil cargo. American lawmakers called for a resolution to the issue of unloading the seized Iranian tanker cargo. The IRGC threatened that if the Iranian tanker is unloaded, they would retaliate. The IRGC warned oil companies about unloading the confiscated oil cargo. The US Navy stated that Iran seized a suspicious ship suspected of smuggling. The Financial Times reported that the US is likely to begin unloading the seized Iranian tanker. Details emerged regarding the 'harassment' of commercial vessels by Iranian speedboats and the reactions of the US and British military. Houthi missile attacks targeted a ship in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Attacks on a Norwegian-flagged tanker near Yemen continued as Houthi rebel attacks expanded. The US warned commercial vessels in the Indian Ocean.