TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's navy reported Thursday the seizure of an American oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, citing retaliation for the U.S. "stealing" of Iran's oil in April 2023, according to a statement published on the Iranian army's public relations website.
The statement said the navy took control of the "St Nikolas" tanker on Thursday following a judicial order and confirmation from Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization.
The vessel, previously named "Suez Rajan," had "stolen" an Iranian oil cargo under U.S. guidance last year, the statement said, adding that the Iranian oil was then transferred to U.S. ports and handed over to the United States.
The "St Nikolas" tanker was carrying oil in the Sea of Oman on Thursday morning when it was seized by Iran's navy as a response to the alleged U.S. actions, the statement added.
The seized oil tanker is being transferred to Iranian ports for subsequent handover to judicial authorities, the navy said. ■
