Iran army says seized oil tanker in Sea of Oman

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TEHRAN:On May 8, 2026, the Iranian Navy seized the Barbados-flagged oil tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions in a region already destabilized by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. According to Iranian state media, naval commandos detained the vessel during a specialized operation, alleging that the tanker was attempting to "disrupt and harm" Iran’s oil exports by exploiting volatile regional conditions.

The Ocean Koi, which has been under U.S. sanctions since February, was reportedly carrying Iranian crude oil at the time of its capture. Following the seizure, the vessel was escorted to Iran’s southern coast and handed over to judicial authorities for further investigation.

This incident occurred shortly after direct clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that Iran has largely closed since late February 2026. The seizure underscores the fragility of the current maritime security landscape and the persistent threat to global energy flows.