Iran Seizes Two Tankers, One Belonging To UK For “Violating International Regulations”

• Iran Seizes Two Tankers, One Belonging To UK For “Violating International Regulations”
  by Tyler Durden, https://www.zerohedge.com/
  Update 2: Iran has seized a second tanker, as ship-tracking data used by Bloomberg has identified a second oil tanker, the Mesdar, which has turned toward the Iranian Coast. According to Bloomberg, the Mesdar is Liberian-flagged, 315,800 dwt crude tanker, which was Headed to Ras Tanura from Malaysia before turning toward Iran coast Friday.
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  Clipper Data has slightly conflicting data, noting that the tanker was discharged in China in April and sat empty off Singapore. In early July, it left for the Arab Gulf. Then at about 16:30 UTC, it made an turn north and is now in Iranian waters.
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  And while there is no confirmation yet, moments ago during a press briefing, Trump said that Iran may indeed have seized a second tanker:
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  TRUMP SAYS IRAN MAY HAVE SEIZED TWO TANKERS
  And sure enough, Iran has done just that:
  IRAN CONFIRMS THEY HAVE SEIZED MESDAR TANKER: TELEGRAPH
  And now we await the White House’s response.
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  Update 1: ABC News reports the UK is now convening a high level national security meeting after British flagged tanker, the Stena Impero, was seized by the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel’s owner and ship manager ‘Stena Bulk’ says it is unable to contact the vessel.
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  A company press release said 23 are on board, with no reported injuries. The statement said the vessel “was approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz while the vessel was in international waters”.
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  A US statement called the seizure the “latest episode of escalatory violence.” The White House National Security Council stated further it will continue working with allies and partners in the region to “defend against Iran’s maligned behavior”.
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  read more.

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