Iran seizes South Korean Tanker

While initial reports from The Times of India suggested that Iran might have seized the South Korean oil tanker, MT Hankuk Chemi, this development has now been confirmed by Iranian state television Fars, as Hindustan Times reports.

Allegedly, oil pollution in the Persian Gulf is the reason behind this seizure made by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces. The seizure came to light when satellite data from MarineTraffic confirmed the MT Hankuk Chemi to be at Bandar Abbas port, without any reason for it to be there. The ship was on its way from Saudi Arabia to Fujairah in the UAE.

This development comes amidst reports that Iran has begun enriching uranium by 20% at its underground facility in Fordo, based on orders received directly from President Hassan Rouhani. Such enrichment is considered to be only a small technical step from weapons-grade levels.