By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Iran’s Navy says it has detained an oil tanker named Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman over alleged maritime violations and what it described as attempts to disrupt Iranian oil exports.

In a statement on Friday, the Iranian Army said the operation was carried out under a ruling from the Supreme National Security Council and a judicial order.

It said the tanker was intercepted during a planned naval operation and was carrying a consignment of Iranian oil.

According to the statement, the vessel was accused of taking advantage of the regional situation to interfere with Iran’s oil exports and economic interests.

Iranian naval forces reportedly escorted the tanker to southern Iranian waters, where it was handed over to judicial authorities for further action.

The Navy said it remains committed to protecting Iran’s maritime interests and warned it would not tolerate violations in its waters.

Since the start of the conflict with Israel and the United States in late February, Iran has tightened control over key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has also accused the U.S. of imposing an illegal naval blockade on Iranian shipping routes since April.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf region and continued disputes over maritime security and trade routes.

Source: Press TV