Iran says it prevented US Navy from seizing oil tanker in Arabian Sea

The date of the incident involving an Iranian tanker and the US Navy has not been specified.

(Illustrative image) AP - Ernesto Vargas

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Tehran said this Wednesday, November 3, to have prevented the interception of an Iranian tanker by the US Navy in the Arabian Sea.

It is the most serious incident between Iran and the United States since the arrival of Joe Biden to the White House. 

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With our correspondent in Tehran,

The incident unfolded in several stages.

According to Tehran, initially, the US Navy seized a tanker carrying Iranian oil before transferring the cargo to a Saudi tanker.

But the Revolutionary Guard Navy, Iran's elite army, stepped in to take control of the tanker and direct it to Iranian territorial waters.

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According to this incredible scenario, several American warships then attempted to block the route of the tanker, using helicopters in particular, but failed.

The famous oil tanker is now under Tehran's control.

The date of the incident has not been specified.

American presence in the region

Two days ago, an American strategic bomber flew over the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, accompanied in particular by Israeli and Saudi fighters.

Washington had said that the overflight was intended to send a clear message about the American presence in the region.

The Arabian Sea has already experienced strong maritime tensions.

Last July, the United States accused Iran of being behind the attack on an Israeli tanker in the Arabian Sea, which killed two people.

This new incident comes amidst tension between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear program.

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