The United States has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and redirected them from areas near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, according to shipping and security sources cited on Wednesday.
The reported interceptions come as Washington continues a maritime blockade on Iran’s trade, while Iran has fired on ships to stop them from sailing through the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf. Nearly two months after the United States and Israel began their war on Iran, there has been little indication of peace talks resuming despite what was described as an uneasy ceasefire.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the movement of around a fifth of global oil and gas supplies and triggered a global energy crisis, the report said. In recent days, US forces have also seized an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker.
Iran said on Wednesday that it had captured two container ships attempting to leave the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz after firing on them and another vessel. It said these were its first such seizures since the war began.
