The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway
The closure of the strait has disrupted supply of a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, and caused a global energy crisis. US forces have seized an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker in recent days. Iran said it had captured two container ships seeking to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after firing on them and another vessel, its first seizures since the war began.
The US has diverted at least three more Iranian-flagged oil tankers in recent days, two US and Indian shipping sources and two separate Western maritime security sources said on Wednesday.
The US military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the interceptions.
The smaller Iranian-flagged Sevin, which had a maximum capacity of 1 million barrels and was carrying 65 per cent of its load, was also intercepted. The vessel was last seen off Malaysia’s coast a month ago, ship tracking data showed.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
