Key insights
- Iran seized the Ocean Koi tanker in the Gulf of Oman, alleging disruption of its oil exports. The tanker, under US sanctions, was escorted to Iran. This escalates tensions following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route. The event could lead to increased oil price volatility and negatively impact energy sector equities.
DUBAI, May 8 (Reuters) - Iran has seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman over an alleged attempt to disrupt Iran's oil exports, Iranian state media said on Friday, quoting an army statement.
It said the Barbados-flagged tanker was carrying Iranian oil and "was trying to harm and disrupt oil exports .... by exploiting regional conditions".
The oil tanker - which has been under U.S. sanctions since February - was escorted to the southern coast of Iran and handed over to the judicial authorities, according to state media.
The seizure came after U.S. and Iranian forces clashed in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
Iran has largely closed the narrow waterway, a conduit for about a fifth of the world's oil flows before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran broke out on February 28.
(Reporting by Ahmed Elimam;Editing by Alison Williams and Ros Russell)