‘Smuggling fuel’: Iran state TV shows VIDEO of seized tanker days after UAE-based vessel vanishes

Source: RT

July 18, 2019 at 12:47

FILE PHOTO. IRGC speedboats. © AFP / Atta Kenare

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has released footage showing the seizure of a ship “smuggling fuel” in the Persian Gulf. The vessel bears the name of the UAE-owned tanker that recently vanished in the Gulf.

The footage shows several Iranian boats circling the tanker, apparently forcing it to stop. Another video was captured from the ship’s deck, showing details of the vessel.

#IRGC releases footage showing seizure of ship smuggling fuel in Persian gulf#StraitOfHormuz #PersianGulf #tanker pic.twitter.com/v3RO4SBuGw
— Press TV (@PressTV) July 18, 2019

6)
More footage of the tanker seized by Iran's IRGC. pic.twitter.com/SS8doMfAOJ
— Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) July 18, 2019

The ship in the video is apparently the MT Riah – a Panamanian-flagged tanker that went missing on Sunday. Tehran initially said that the ship experienced technical issues and was towed into Iranian water for repair.

The incident took place to the south of the Iranian Larak Island, in the northern part of the Strait of Hormuz, according to IRGC. The ship has been allegedly engaging into repeated trips between different emirates of the UAE – presumably carrying oil or fuel. But an Emirati security official has earlier denied the UAE owns or operates the vessel, adding that Riah did not send a distress call during the incident.

Read More (...)