TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) — An oil tanker belonging to the United Arab Emirates that had been seized by Iran a few days ago in the Strait of Hormuz is moving toward the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.
The report said the tanker, which was seized in the northern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, was initially supposed to sail toward the UAE’s port city of Jebel Ali.
Iranian media reported Monday that the country had stopped an oil tanker belonging to a UAE firm in the waterway’s northern route near Iran’s southern Qeshm Island.
Under the arrangements Iran has established to manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, safe passage through the waterway requires using the route designated by Iran, paying service fees, and obtaining the country’s permission.
Iran has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel or the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
