Iranians seize tanker belonging to Chinese leasing company

The US Navy reported yesterday that Iran seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Advantage Sweet in the Gulf of Oman, 40 nautical miles southwest of Badar Jask. The vessel is on charter to Chevron, but importantly is owned by SPDB Financial Leasing of China, an ally of Iran’s.

Moments before the seizure, Advantage Sweet issued a distress call.

Iranian media claimed a regular Iranian Navy’ corvette seized the tanker and directed it to Iranian coastal waters, claiming the tanker had collided with an unidentified Iranian boat.