Iranian forces seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara on Friday as the vessel traveled from Ajman, United Arab Emirates, toward Singapore, according to U.S. officials and maritime security centers cited across the available sources. The ship was steered into Iranian territorial waters, marking the first reported interdiction of this kind in months.

A U.S. defense official said the interception took place in the Strait of Hormuz, while separate maritime reporting placed the vessel’s last known position about 20 nautical miles east of Khawr Fakkan in the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton was observed above the area for several hours, according to flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press. Private security firms reported that three small boats approached the tanker during the incident.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center stated that a possible “state activity” forced the Talara to alter course toward Iranian waters. Columbia Shipmanagement, the Cyprus-based manager of the tanker, said it had lost contact with the vessel, which was carrying high-sulphur gasoil, and confirmed that relevant authorities had been notified. The ship is managed by Columbia and reportedly owned by Pasha Finance.

Iran has not acknowledged the seizure. The incident comes after a period that included a 12-day war in June and prior maritime cases involving Iranian forces, such as the 2019 limpet mine attacks, the 2021 drone strike on an Israeli-linked tanker, and the April 2024 seizure of the MSC Aries. In May 2022, Iran also held two Greek-flagged tankers until November of that year.

Security reporting referenced in the sources noted that the Talara case is the first seizure of a commercial vessel not linked to fuel smuggling since the Aries was taken in April 2024. Investigations continue as the tanker moves toward Iranian waters. The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of globally traded oil passes, remains a focal point of maritime monitoring by the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.