Strait of Hormuz: Iran's forces reportedly seized foreign tanker in Strait of Hormuz on May 3

Event

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces reportedly seized a Panama-flagged oil tanker, the Niovi, in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf on May 3. The IRGC provided no specific reasons for the vessel's seizure. It remains possible the ship strayed into Iranian territorial waters.

Persian Gulf littoral states and their allies could increase naval and aerial surveillance in the days ahead; however, shipping and maritime transport through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman are unlikely to be affected.

Context

A series of high-profile incidents involving vessels and oil tankers have recently occurred in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. On April 27, the IRGC seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker. Iran's constant threats of closing the Strait of Hormuz and maritime incidents prompted the US to form the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in 2019 to monitor the safe passage of oil in the Persian Gulf. As tensions between Washington and Tehran persist, further similar incidents remain likely.

Advice

Exercise caution and reconfirm routes with maritime authorities if transiting or shipping freight through the Persian Gulf in the coming days.