THE Iranian navy intercepted Marshall islands-flagged oil tanker St. Nikolas while sailing through the Gulf of Oman this week.
The ship was forced to alter its course toward the territorial waters of Iran.
The Greek-owned oil tanker was loaded with 145,000 tons of crude oil and bound for Turkiye.
Onboard were 18 Filipinos and one Greek citizen as crew.
The Iranian navy said the move was in retaliation for the confiscation of the same vessel and its oil by the United States last year.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asked Iran to ensure the safety of the Filipino seafarers and contacted their families.
The US condemned the seizure and called it ‘unlawful’ but the Iranian navy said the act was made in accordance with a court order and described the vessel as American instead of Greek-owned.
The incident was just part of the latest string of tensions taking place in the Red Sea.
