Latest Ship Seized by Iran is the Third in Less than a Month

By: - August 6, 2019

An Iraqi ship seized by Iran in the Persian Gulf is the third vessel commandeered by Tehran in recent weeks.

According to reports, naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized an Iraqi oil tanker under the pretense that the ship was carrying illicit cargo. An IRGC statement quoted by the state news agency IRNA declared that their personnel had “seized this ship around Farsi Island which was carrying around 700,000 litres of smuggled fuel.” Seven foreign crew members were arrested during the operation. The seizure of the latest vessel would be the third by Iran in less than a month in Gulf waters—a primary waterway for the world’s crude oil.

On 18 July, the IRGC detained the Panama-flagged ship MT Riah, also for alleged fuel smuggling. A day later, the IRGC announced they had impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking “international maritime rules.”

News of the latest ship seized by Iran comes as the U.S. continues to push for a maritime coalition to counter Iran’s aggression. At a recent conference organized by the Pentagon, representatives from more than thirty countries gathered at U.S. Central Command headquarters in Florida to discuss Operation Sentinel, a coalition of nations meant to safeguard shipping lanes in the Middle East. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently told reporters that the administration was expecting to get commitments from several countries to join the effort. “I think we’ll have some announcements coming out soon in the coming days where you’ll see countries begin to sign up.”

Despite America’s efforts to bring nations together on the Gulf maritime issue, there is still much reluctance even from key allies. Esper alluded to this in his statement when he admitted that the Department had received “various degrees of commitment” at the Florida conference. The reason for this lackluster response from partner nations is understandable. Support for any U.S. initiative on Iran is perceived as supporting the Trump administration’s hard-line stance on the country that came to a head last year with the president’s pull-out from the nuclear deal.

Unfortunately, even reluctant partners like those in Europe will eventually have to come to terms with the hard facts. Iran’s aggression in the Gulf cannot be left unchecked. The damage these incidents will inflict —and have already inflicted— on international commerce and freedom of the seas in such a vital area of the world will become intolerable.

  • RSS WND

    • Columbia University probing 'Resistance 101' student event where Hamas is hailed
      (NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK) -- Columbia University is investigating a student event where speakers expressed support for Palestinian terror groups and encouraged students to back “armed resistance” against Israel. The event on Sunday, titled “Resistance 101,” was led by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student organizations. The two lead groups in the coalition… […]
    • Former paratrooper makes incredible claim about a crashed UFO being recovered
      (OUTKICK) -- A former paratrooper is making an incredible claim about a crashed UFO being recovered. One of the most stunning claims made by whistleblower David Grusch is that there's some kind of UFO recovery program. Journalist Michael Shellenberger also claimed the government is hiding as many as a dozen downed crafts. Now, a claim… […]
    • Total solar eclipse forecast shows who has best chance for clear skies on April 8
      (FOX WEATHER) -- Early forecasting for the total solar eclipse shows a higher probability of a mostly clear sky along parts of the path of totality in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Mexico, Canada and the U.S., from Texas to Maine. A total… […]
    • How young you feel hinges on how well you sleep
      (STUDY FINDS) -- We’ve all heard the adage “you’re only as old as you feel,” but what if your actual age and perceived age don’t quite match up? It turns out that this concept, known as subjective age, can have profound implications for your health and well-being. According to a new study by researchers at… […]
    • Does cinnamon carry the cure for baldness?
      (STUDY FINDS) -- Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common concern that can take a significant emotional toll. While current treatments can help manage symptoms, they often come with side-effects and mixed results. But what if the key to fuller, healthier hair was hiding in your spice rack? Researchers from Yokohama National University in Japan… […]
    • Overlooked sexual health crisis among adults over 50
      (STUDY FINDS) -- If you think sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are just a problem for young people, think again. Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and other STIs are rising rapidly in older adults across the world. Yes, grandma and grandpa are getting busy – and forgetting to wrap it up. At the European Congress of… […]
    • Joe Lieberman, Al Gore's 2000 running mate, dead at 82
      (POLITICO) -- Joe Lieberman, a longtime senator from Connecticut who became the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major party’s ticket, died Wednesday. He was 82. Lieberman’s family stated that he died “due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were… […]
    • Thousands baptized after watching 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson and his story of addiction, redemption
      (CHRISTIAN POST) -- The Robertson family of “Duck Dynasty” fame has always been open about their lives, both good and bad, even candidly depicting Phil Robertson’s early struggles with alcohol addiction in the film “The Blind.” It’s exactly this kind of transparency that has allowed audiences of all backgrounds to feel a genuine connection to… […]
    • WATCH: Country star Reba McEntire shares God secret on 'The Voice'
      (CBN NEWS) -- Country music star and "The Voice" judge, Reba McEntire, recently opened up about how she relies on the Holy Spirit to "put her in the right place" when she performs on stage. The Grammy Award-winning artist got choked up during NBC's "The Voice" Monday night after her team members Josh Sanders and… […]
    • Why no gay golfers on the PGA Tour?
      In 2006, Hawaii-born Tadd Fujikawa played in his one and only major golf championship, the U.S. Open. He did not make the cut. Today, his X page tells us he is the pickleball pro at Sea Island Resort. Despite his humble career, Fujikawa does have one major distinction. When I google "gay golfer," he shows… […]
  • Enter My WorldView