Iran says it captured Eswatini-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized an Eswatini-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was carrying smuggled fuel. The IRGC stated the vessel held 350,000 litres of fuel and had 13 crew members from India and a neighboring country. In response, Eswatini denied any connection to the vessel, rejecting any association with maritime criminality. This event occurs amidst heightened tensions between Iran and the West over its nuclear program and the recent reinstatement of UN sanctions. The incident follows the collapse of Omani-mediated talks between Iran and the United States.