Iran seizes another foreign oil tanker in the Gulf, reports say

Iran has seized another foreign oil tanker in the Gulf, Iranian state media say.

The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported the oil tanker was an Iraqi vessel.

TV reports said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a tanker allegedly smuggling fuel to Arab states.

IRGC commander Ramezan Zirahi has been quoted as saying: “The IRGC's naval forces have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was smuggling fuel for some Arab countries.

"It carried 700,000 litres of fuel. Seven sailors onboard of the tanker, who are from different nationalities, were detained."

State TV and the semi-official Fars news agency said seven crew members were detained when the ship was seized late on Wednesday.

They did not provide further details on the vessel or the nationality of the crew.

The reported incident comes amid high tension after Iran seized British-flagged tanker the Stena Impero in the Strait of Homuz last month.

Tensions have also soared in the Gulf in recent months as the US has boosted its military presence and oil tankers have been seized by Iranian forces or targeted by unknown saboteurs.

The tensions are rooted in the US decision last year to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear accord and impose sweeping sanctions on Iran.