An oil tanker suddenly changed course towards Iranian waters after suspected “state activity”, monitors said on Friday, raising concerns following previous ship seizures by Iran.
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was heading south through the Strait of Hormuz when it was approached by three small boats, Ambrey said.
The tanker “was observed making a sudden course deviation… this incident is likely highly targeted”, the maritime security company said in alert.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) meanwhile said: “The incident is believed to be state activity.”
The ship, which had left Ajman in the United Arab Emirates for Singapore, was heading for Iranian waters, both Ambrey and UKMTO said.
The Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit for global oil and liquefied natural gas, has witnessed several incidents in the past.
Last year, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized a container ship, accusing it of links to Israel, following a deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria blamed on Israel.
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