Iran's attempt to seize two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman was thwarted by the US Navy on Wednesday, according to Reuters, in the latest in a series of seizures or attacks on ships in the region that have started since 2019.
Oil company Chevron said one incident involved the "Richmond Voyager", a very large Greek-owned Bahamian-flagged crude oil tanker it manages, adding that its crew was safe.
The ship, which was heading from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore, increased speed and changed course when it became aware of the Iranians' movements, maritime security company Ambrey said, citing its own investigation into the incident.
According to Reuters, a second incident followed at 28 nautical milesnortheast of Muscat, the capital of Oman, with an Iranian navy ship firing on another tanker in an attempt to seize it, US Navy Fifth Fleet spokesman Timothy Hawkins said.
Both incidents took place in the Gulf of Oma , in the waters between Iran and Oman.
Hawkins did not say how the US Navy prevented the seizure of the ships or provide any further information at this stage. Details regarding the second vessel involved in the incident were not immediately clear.
For its part, Iran has not yet made any comment on the specific incidents.
Since 2019, there have been a series of attacks against shipping in the strategic waters of the Gulf during times of tension between the United States and Iran.
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