A Panama-based tanker captured by militants in the Sea of Oman near the United Arab Emirates has been released.
The Royal Navy’s Maritime Trade Organization has announced that “the oil tanker case that was raised as a possible abduction is over”.
The Maritime Trade Organization, however, did not specify which militant group attempted to hijack the tanker and in what way.
Reuters, citing maritime security sources, said the hijacked vessel had been released and secured safety.
The vessel known to have been captured is the ‘Asphalt Princess’ carrying the Panama flag, and it is known that it is currently operating using an engine.
Earlier, the British Shipping and Maritime Trade Organization said last night that an incident presumed to be a ‘ship hijacking’ occurred about 60 nautical miles east of Hujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates.
Foreign media, citing officials from the Maritime Trade Organization, pointed out that the oil tanker was seized by militants in the Sea of Oman leading to the Strait of Hormuz, and pointed out Iran as the mastermind.
Iran has denied the allegations, saying it was “an attempt made by Israel and Western countries to create an international public opinion hostile to Iran.”
(Photo=AFP, Yonhap News)
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