"Can US seize Iranian oil tanker?" Topic

…Under the law of the sea, the United States generally does not have the authority in peacetime to seize a vessel on the high seas or in the waters of another country. Countries may only enforce their laws within their waters, with the exception of vessels flying their flag, which they have authority over anywhere in the world. The United States must either wait until the vessel enters U.S. waters, which would likely never happen, or convince another country to recognize and enforce the warrant…

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I disagree.

It is suspected of trying to violate international sanctions, so can be seized for that.

"Can" they, probably. "Should" they, that's a different question.

Assuming the question is "can the US (or anyone else, apart of course Iran itself because it flies their flag) LEGALLY seize the vessel", the answer is, of course, no.

Lloyd's List gives a comment on the seizing of the British ship which was (according to Britain) outside territorial waters. Same case scenario. Whether or not it is violating international sanctions does not create seizing rights outside territorial waters. So, they can not and certainly should not.

I wonder if the damned thing is financed. Buy the paper and call the loan. Tell The Supreme Leader that he has 24 hours to deliver 10 billion pennies to JFK or we foreclose. Slap a lien on the side. 24 hours later, board the ship, run up the Red White and Blue, then ask Iran whose oil is aboard. I'm pretty sure at that point their response will be "what oil."

Follow the ship. If they trail an ounce of bilge, arrest them under a violation of some or another environmental treaty Iran forgot to repudiate. It's trumped up (pun intended) but you can haul her into a friendly port. Then we do the sanctions dance again.

We have good info on the crew. I have to imagine someone aboard is wanted for something somewhere. Failure to pay child support,…whatever. Have Interpol issue a warrant, and instruct the ship to proceed to Cypress for it to be served.

Imagination is a wonderful thing.

Yep.

Sometimes you gotta play a deeper level game.

I'm left wondering when and/or if a suddenly un-moored, ex-WWII, naval mine might "accidentally" float to the surface in the path of the vessel, or if those that are believed to have placed limpet mines on ones in the Arabian Gulf might not do so against an Iranian vessel as well?

After all, the perpetrators of the latter deed have not been apprehended, as far as I know.

Granted, both are probably long-shots, and unlikely to happen, but the guerrillas attacking vessels with limpet mines just might decide to lash out again, after a bit of time off.

If I were the CIA, or a special services member, that's the story I'd stick to, just for grins.

Hmmm, seems to be "parked" near Syria now, as originally suspected.