Iran Seizes Foreign Tanker Accused Of Oil Smuggling, Reports Say

Iranian media is reporting that the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces have seized a foreign oil tanker accused of smuggling oil.

It comes just days after an oil tanker based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) disappeared off trackers in Iranian territorial waters.

The UAE-based tanker has not been confirmed as the vessel seized by Iranian forces.

The Panamanian-flagged oil tanker MT Riah stopped transmitting its location overnight on Sunday near Qeshm Island, which has a Revolutionary Guard base on it, according to data listed on tracking site Maritime Traffic.

Iranian television did not identify the seized vessel but said it was intercepted on Sunday.

It said the oil tanker had 12 foreign crew members on board and was involved in smuggling one million litres of fuel from Iranian smugglers to foreign customers.

The report said the oil tanker was intercepted in south of Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

A US defence official said earlier this week that America "has suspicions" that Iran seized the oil tanker when it turned off its tracker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it is are seeking further information on the reports and that it continues "to urge the Iranian authorities to de-escalate the situation in the region".

The incident comes after Theresa May met with Gibraltar's chief minister to discuss the seizure of an Iranian tanker by Royal Marines.

The US has sent thousands of additional troops, nuclear-capable B-52 bombers and advanced fighter jets into the Middle East amid the heightened tensions.

Mysterious attacks on oil tankers and Iran shooting down a US military surveillance drone has added to the fears of an armed conflict breaking out.