Following reports that the MV Asphalt Princess was “hijacked” while transiting off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, British sources say they suspect an Iranian role.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has said an “incident” is currently underway 60 nautical miles East of Fujairah, calling it a “potential hijack”.
A group of eight or nine armed individuals reportedly boarded the vessel, a security source told Sky News.
Numerous media outlets cited British intelligence sources claiming an Iranian role. Tensions between Iran and Western powers have renewed following the drone attack on an oil tanker near the coast of Oman last week, which left two crew members dead. Both the US and UK and blamed Iran for the attack.
AP reported that four oil tankers announced around the same time via their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were “not under command,” according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. One of them later began moving.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as calling the recent maritime attacks in the region “completely suspicious.” He denied that Iran was involved.
“Iran’s naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region,” Khatibzadeh said.
