Iranian navy seizes oil tanker near Oman day after US and UK warships shot down Houthi rebels' rockets

11 January 2024, 13:40

Armed masked men have boarded the St Nikolas oil tanker near Iran
Armed masked men have boarded the St Nikolas oil tanker near Iran. Picture: VesselFinder

By StephenRigley

The Iranian navy has seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman amid rising tensions in the Red Sea.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency ran a brief story confirming who was behind the attack on the the St Nikolas vessel had been reported to have been boarded by armed men on Thursday morning.

It said the came as a result of a judicial order.

Sailing under a Greek flag, the St Nikolas ship was boarded some 50 miles off the coast of Oman. The area is transited by ships coming in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes.

A UK defence source said the incident appeared to be “serious” and comes as the US and the UK prepare to launch military action against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who are wreaking havoc in the Red Sea.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO), which provides warnings to sailors in the region, described receiving a report from the ship’s security manager of hearing “unknown voices over the phone”.

It said it was unable to make further contact with the vessel and that the authorities were investigating the incident.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October to show support for Hamas militants battling the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The Houthis attacks have been concentrated on the Bab al-Mandeb strait, to the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula, while Thursday’s incident is located closer to the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest sea clash is some 24 hours after 18 drones and missiles were shot down in the Red Sea.

Moment HMS Diamond shoots down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels
Moment HMS Diamond shoots down drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Picture: MoD

Read More: Grant Shapps warns UK could crack down harder on Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea after warship downs drones

Read More: British warship in Red Sea 'fires guns and missiles' downing attack drones in 'largest Houthi attack'

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond and American warships launched a coordinated blitz after the Houthis' biggest attack so far on Tuesday night.

And further military response by a US-led coalition is expected to be “limited but significant”, with key Houthi bases expected to be targeted after the rebels ignored a final warning to stop their attacks from a dozen nations last week.

The UN Security Council voted on Wednesday to demand an immediate end to attacks by the Houthis, and warned of collective action if they carry on. Russia and China abstained in the vote.

Britain's ambassador to the UN vowed the UK will not "stand by" and let the Iran-backed rebels attack the Red Sea.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned the military might was in place “to do what needs to be done” which could include blasting bases in Yemen.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog after leaning on animal while crawling, inquest hears

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog sustained 'catastrophic' injuries after leaning on pet, inquest hears

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Starmer backs International Criminal Court after it issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries following dawn raids