5 August
Iran's state-run broadcaster reports the oil tanker seized on Wednesday by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps was an Iraqi vessel. Iranians say the ship was trying to smuggle fuel.
The broadcaster aired video of the vessel on Sunday. The footage shows an entire view of the ship, what looks like fuel on board, and what appears to be Iranian patrol boats surrounding it.
The Revolutionary Guards have detained seven crewmembers of different nationalities.
The Corps said its action was a legitimate crackdown on a smuggling operation. It also says the tanker was an Iraqi ship, but Baghdad denies the allegations.
This is the third tanker Iranians have seized in recent weeks.
As the United States increases the pressure on Iran by imposing a total ban on its oil exports, Iran is increasing its activities in the Persian Gulf, which is an important artery for energy exports.
-NHK
