A vessel anchored off the coast of Fujairah, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has been boarded by unknown individuals and is now sailing toward Iranian territorial waters, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed Thursday.
The UKMTO did not identify the ship or the perpetrators but has urged all vessels in the area to report suspicious activity.
This incident comes amid a series of seizures in the region. Iran recently captured the tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman, claiming it was carrying Iranian oil. The United States had sanctioned the Ocean Koi in February as part of a so-called "shadow fleet" transporting Iranian crude.
Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir stated Thursday that the seizure of what he called "violating" American vessels is carried out under court orders and in accordance with domestic and international law.
Since the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel on February 28, Iran has largely blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports despite a fragile ceasefire that began April 8.