An oil tanker previously involved in a dispute between Iran and the United States, once known as the Suez Rajan, was reportedly boarded by "unauthorized" individuals in military uniforms in the Gulf of Oman. The incident adds to the heightened tensions in the Middle East, with suspicion falling on Iran. The vessel, now identified as the St. Nikolas, was seized amidst ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. The ship's history includes a yearlong dispute, the seizure of Iranian crude oil by the U.S. Justice Department, and previous involvement in smuggling sanctioned Iranian oil. The situation raises concerns about potential retaliatory actions and comes amid a UN Security Council vote condemning the Houthi attacks.

SOURCE:HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS