Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps have seized A South Korean-flagged tanker in the Persian Gulf, with the country accusing it of “environmental pollution” in the area’s waters. Hankuk Chemi was carrying 7,200 tonnes of ethanol and had crew members from South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar. According to Iranian media, the tanker is being held at Bandar Abbas port.
According to a US Navy spokeswoman Rebecca Rebarich, the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet is aware of and is monitoring the situation.
South Korea’s foreign ministry has demanded the release of the tanker, and forces stationed in the Strait of Hormuz have been dispatched to the area.
