Overview
- The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported a vessel was hailed on VHF by numerous small armed boats and said authorities are investigating.
- Vanguard Tech said three pairs of IRGC gunboats ordered the Stena Imperative to stop and prepare to be boarded, but the tanker increased speed and held course.
- MarineTraffic data indicated the ship transited about 16 nautical miles north of Oman within Oman's economic zone and remained en route to Bahrain with an expected Feb. 5 arrival at Sitrah.
- Vanguard Tech reported the tanker is now under escort by a U.S. warship, and industry reporting indicated no shots were fired and no damage occurred.
- Iran's Fars news agency countered that a vessel entered Iranian territorial waters without authorization and left after a warning, reflecting heightened tensions following recent IRGC drills and threats.