US Navy thwarts Iran’s attempt to seize two tankers as vessel damaged in attack

Officials said Iranian forces attempted to seize two tankers on Wednesday but were thwarted by the US Navy and confirmed that a Chevron tanker was damaged when it was fired on in one of the incidents.

The revelation that a second tanker had been targeted came after TradeWinds reported earlier in the day that Iran had fired on the Chevron VLCC.

Both incidents involved vessels owned by US companies.

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The US Naval Forces Central Command said that an Iranian vessel approached the 37,300-dwt TRF Moss (built 2016) at 1am local time on Wednesday (2130 GMT on Tuesday).

Shipping databases show the Marshall Islands-flagged ship is owned by US-based Transportation Recovery Fund and managed by Oslo-based TRF Ship Management, whose chief executive said he was too busy to speak when contacted by TradeWinds.

Formerly controlled by US investor Wilbur Ross before he became US commerce secretary, Transportation Recovery Fund is linked to his former WL Ross & Co, which Invesco now controls. An Invesco spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US Navy said the Iranian vessel departed the site when the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived. Central Command, which is headquartered in Bahrain, also deployed surveillance aircraft to the scene.

Three hours after the TRF Moss incident, the second vessel was targeted.

Richmond Voyager attacked

The US Navy confirmed that Iranian forces attempted to seize the 319,000-dwt Richmond Voyager (built 2018), which is listed as operated and owned by US oil major Chevron.

As the vessel headed from Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia to Singapore, the US received a distress call from the Bahamas-flagged ship while it was off the coast of Muscat in Oman in the Arabian Sea.

“Another Iranian naval vessel had closed within one mile of Richmond Voyager while hailing the commercial tanker to stop,” Central Command said in a statement.

The destroyer USS McFaul sped to the tanker as the laden vessel continued its transit.

Bullets fly

“Prior to McFaul’s arrival on scene, Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons,” US Navy officials said.

There were no human casualties, and the ship did not sustain significant damage, although several rounds hit the vessel near crew living spaces.

When the McFaul ultimately did arrive, the Iranian vessel departed.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the entire [Central Command] team, especially the exceptional effort by the McFaul crew, for immediately responding and preventing another seizure,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who is commander of Central Command, the US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.

‘Vigilant and ready’

“We remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights in these critical waters.”

TradeWinds previously reported that UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the VLCC was fired on 28 nautical miles (52 km) north-east of Muscat.

The incident represents the latest flare-up in the country’s tanker seizures since the Iranian Navy seized the Chevron-chartered, 159,000-dwt Advantage Sweet (built 2012) in April.

That was in apparent retaliation for the US seizure of the 159,000-dwt tanker Suez Rajan (built 2011) on suspicion it was carrying crude of Iranian origin.

Still off Texas

Satellite tracking data from VesselsValue shows the Suez Rajan remains anchored off the Texas port of Galveston, where it has been waiting to offload a cargo, and legal experts expect the oil will be seized by authorities.

After the last round of tit-for-tat seizures, the US and its partners increased the number of naval ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

Since 2021, Iran has “harassed, attacked or seized” 20 ships, the US Navy said.