Iran Says It Seized British Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Undated handout photograph shows the Stena Impero, a British-flagged vessel owned by Stena Bulk, at an undisclosed location, obtained by Reuters on July 19, 2019. Stena Bulk/via Reuters

Update: Iran held up a second oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on July 19—the Liberian-flagged, British-operated vessel Mesdar—within an hour after having seized the British-flagged oil tanker, Stena Imperio, in the same area.

The owner of the Mesdar said the ship was briefly boarded by armed guards before being allowed to go. It continued its course after being warned over safety and environmental issues and being told to comply with environmental regulations, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.