International maritime and security sources reported that a crude oil tanker suddenly changed its course while crossing the Gulf of Oman and headed towards Iranian territorial waters. It was recorded that the ship was flying the Marshall Islands flag and was traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency announced that it had reported a “suspicious” movement 20 nautical miles away in the Arabian Sea and that an investigation had been launched.
The private maritime security company Ambrey stated that the ship was followed by three small boats during its passage and that the situation could be a possible targeting. Columbia Ship Management announced that the tanker was carrying high-sulfur diesel fuel and that communication problems were experienced while en route from Sharjah to Singapore.
While no official statement has yet been received from Iranian authorities on the matter, the British military warned that there could be a “state intervention” behind the incident.
