The tanker, previously named St Nicholas and carrying oil in the Oman Sea, was seized as a response to what Iran claims was the theft of its oil by the American regime. The vessel is now en route to Iranian ports, where it is intended to be delivered to judicial authorities, as outlined in the court order.

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations defended the seizure, stating that it was a "lawful undertaking sanctioned by a court order" and emphasizing its correlation with the alleged theft of Iran's oil. The situation has heightened tensions in the region.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported earlier that the vessel had been boarded by at least four armed individuals, diverting course toward Iranian territorial waters. The ship's Company Security Officer reported hearing unknown voices over the phone, leading to a loss of communication with the vessel, as confirmed by UK Maritime Trade Operations.

In response to these developments, Mike Sommers, President, and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API), stressed the importance of adhering to established legal procedures for resolving the matter. As the situation unfolds, concerns about potential escalations in the Middle East persist, with global attention focused on the evolving dynamics in the Gulf of Oman.