(Replace) February 3, 2026, 4:42 PM GMT: Article up to date with particulars of vessel concerned.
An oil tanker that’s a part of a US-military gas procurement program was hailed by small armed ships within the Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s coast on Tuesday, amid heightened tensions between the 2 nations.
The US-flagged Stena Crucial was hailed over radio whereas transiting the very important waterway, in accordance with a number of maritime safety firms, who declined to be named citing delicate info. The tanker continued its deliberate route and didn’t divert, regardless of the requests, they stated.
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Iranian media stated the nation’s naval forces warned a vessel to depart Iranian territorial waters after failing to supply the mandatory authorized paperwork. The vessel departed instantly after the warning, Iran’s semi-official Fars Information stated.
A spokesperson for Crowley, which manages the Stena Crucial, didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark. The vessel’s proprietor referred inquiries to Crowley.
The incident, which was earlier reported by the UK’s naval liaison within the area, occurred in part of the inbound maritime hall into the Strait of Hormuz, the slender chokepoint that enables ships to enter and exit the Persian Gulf and accounts for a couple of quarter of the world’s seaborne oil commerce.
President Donald Trump final week threatened a recent assault on Iran, heightening tensions between the 2 nations. He has since stated talks between the 2 nations over a brand new nuclear deal might happen within the coming days.
The ship is a part of the US Tanker Safety Program, which goals to make sure that the Division of Protection has entry to a fleet of American-flagged gas tankers always.
Iran has up to now each harassed and seized ships crusing close to to its shores. Final yr, it diverted a ship referred to as the Talara to its waters, earlier than unloading its cargo and releasing it.
Late final week, Greece, the world’s largest tanker-owning nation suggested its ships to train warning whereas transiting the strait.
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