Seized UAE tanker diverted to Iran’s Bandar Abbas, Fars reports

The United Arab Emirates-flagged tanker that was seized off the northern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week has been redirected toward Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas. According to Iran’s state-owned Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Fars reported Wednesday that “the seized Emirati tanker, which was intercepted in the northern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, has changed its direction of travel heading for Bandar Abbas.” Initially, the report said, the destination of the ship had been listed at the Jebel Ali port in the UAE. That has now been amended to read Bandar Abbas instead.

The waters around the strategically important area have seen a sharp rise in tensions in recent months amid the broader conflict involving Iran and interruptions that have impacted the flow of energy shipments worldwide. Specifically, there’s been a sharp drop-off in ships passing through the strait since earlier this month. Six commodity vessels crossed the waters Tuesday, well below an average of about 11 over the last 10 days. Based on preliminary data from satellite monitoring firm Kpler, provided to Reuters.

Earlier this month, several commercial vessels had reportedly come under attack — either intentionally or inadvertently — while transiting near the strait.