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☆ Oil ticks up as Middle East crisis escalates, tankers divert
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An aerial view of a crude oil storage facility is seen on May 4, 2020 in Cushing, Oklahoma. Oil prices edged slightly higher on Tuesday as the Middle East crisis escalated and ship tracking data showed more tankers altering course away from the Red Sea in response to attacks in the area by Yemen's Houthi movement. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 17 cents, or 0.2%, at $72.52 per barrel after a U.S. public holiday on Monday. More oil tankers were steering clear of the southern Red Sea on Monday, due to the disruptions, increasing the cost of shipping and the time it takes to move oil from one place to another. Oil prices rose 2% last week in response to the rising conflict in the region, but the lack of direct impact on oil production could be limiting gains, according to analysts.

Persons: Yemen's, INTERTANKO Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Combined Maritime Forces Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, ., U.S, Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Mandab, Hormuz

☆ Tanker companies temporarily halt traffic toward Red Sea after U.S. airstrikes on Houthi militants
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An Egyptian man sits and eats ice cream as he watches international cargo and tanker ships pass through the Suez canalSeveral of the world's major tanker companies on Friday halted traffic toward the Red Sea after U.S. and British airstrikes on Iran-allied Houthi militants in Yemen. The companies are among the world's largest operators of tankers for petroleum products such as gasoline, according to their websites. The multinational coalition advised ships to avoid transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for "several days," according to a statement from the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. Some 7 million barrels of crude oil and products transit the Red Sea daily, according the trade analytics firm Kpler.

Persons: Sheena Williamson, Holt, Bab Organizations: Stena Bulk, Combined Maritime Forces, U.S, CNBC, International Association of Independent Tanker Locations: Suez, Iran, Yemen, Torm, Mandeb, Aden

☆ U.S. launches Operation Prosperity Guardian to defend Red Sea shipping lanes from Houthi attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-18 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. officials on Monday expanded a multinational maritime force in the Red Sea to defend against escalating attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which have impeded international shipping routes. The new defense, named Operation Prosperity Guardian, builds on the power of the Combined Maritime Forces, a 39-member international coalition. A subdivision of the forces, called Task Force 153 is dedicated to the Red Sea. Oil giant BP announced Monday it would temporarily suspend its shipping in the Red Sea, joining companies like shipping firms Maersk, MSC and others. Operation Prosperity Guardian will aim to deter further Houthi attacks as the U.S. eyes potential flare-ups of regional conflict amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, hadn't, John Kirby Organizations: Prosperity, Combined Maritime Forces, U.S . Navy Fifth Fleet, Security, Task Force, BP, Maersk, MSC Locations: Sana'a, Yemen, U.S, Iran, Bahrain, Suez, Red, Israel

☆ After years of building up its navy, Saudi Arabia is testing its new warships with real-world missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in its navy in recent years, buying a number of new warships. AdvertisementThe first of the Spanish-built corvettes, Al Jubail, arrived at the Saudi naval base in Jeddah in August 2022. Patrol boats for Saudi Arabia at a German shipyard in April 2019. During that decade, Saudi Arabia initiated the first Saudi Naval Enhancement Program, which equipped its navy with modern American, French, and British warships. The current buildup, called Saudi Naval Enhancement Program II, or SNEP II, is the most significant one since then.

Persons: —, Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco, MCS3 Louis Thompson Staats, Mazzucco, Al Jubail, Juan Carlos Toro, Lockheed Martin, Stefan Sauer, Nixon, Shah, HMS Badr, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Saudi, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Combined Maritime Forces, International, Analytics, Stimson Center, US Navy, Royal Saudi Naval Force, Getty, RIM, Saudi Western Fleet, Saudi Eastern Fleet, Lockheed, Fleet, Saudi Naval Enhancement, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC Navy, SNEP Locations: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Persian, Saudi, Iran, Yemen, Washington, Al, Madinah, Navantia's, Cádiz, Spain, Jeddah, East Africa, Iraq, Gulf

☆ U.S. Navy says Iran tried to seize two oil tankers, fired on one
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Courtney Kube | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Courtesy: U.S. Department of DefenceThe U.S. Navy prevented Iranian warships from seizing two oil tankers in international waters near Oman on Wednesday, according to an American military official. At about 1 a.m. local time, an Iranian navy vessel approached a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, the TRF Moss, that had just transited the Strait of Hormuz. Three hours later, another Iranian navy vessel approached the tanker, the Richmond Voyager, that had sailed from the United Arab Emirates through the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker issued a distress call after the Iranian ship allegedly tried to get it to stop. When the USS McFaul arrived, the Iranian ship left, according to the official.

Persons: Moss, McFaul, Brad Cooper, Ken Paxton Organizations: Merchant, U.S . Department of Defence, U.S . Navy, American, Marshall, Navy, Richmond Voyager, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S . Naval Forces Central Command, . 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, NBC, U.S Locations: Iran, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Iranian, Hormuz, United Arab, U.S, Ohio

☆ US Navy video shows Iranian ship open fire at a merchant tanker that it was trying to capture
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Iranian naval ships tried to seize two oil tankers crossing Middle Eastern waters on Wednesday. The US Navy said in one incident, Iranian personnel opened fire on one of the commercial ships. The Iranian vessel tried to get the Richmond Voyager to stop, and reached within a mile of the tanker. The US Navy said Iranian personnel then "fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons" at the tanker, with several rounds hitting the hull. Unclassified US Navy drone footage shows the Iranian ship open fire at the Richmond Voyager, with some rounds ricocheting, shown in the video as small flashes above the tanker.

Persons: —, TRF Moss, Brad Cooper, Cooper, Biden Organizations: US Navy, Service, US Naval Forces Central Command, Bahamian, Richmond, Richmond Voyager, Navy, Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, US, US Air Force Locations: Marshall, Gulf of Oman, Iranian, Oman, Hormuz, Iran, Washington, Yemen, Tehran, Syria

☆ UAE says withdrew from U.S.-led maritime coalition two months ago
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 31 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates withdrew from a U.S.-led Middle East maritime security coalition two months ago after evaluating its security relationships, the Gulf state said early on Wednesday. The Combined Maritime Forces is a 34-nation task force, headquartered at the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, working on security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf areas. "As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM. Five weeks ago, Iran seized two tankers within a week in Gulf waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Lisa Barrington, Christopher Cushing Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Combined Maritime Forces, U.S, UAE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wall, U.S . Navy, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, U.S, East, Bahrain, United States, Iran, UAE, Hormuz, Dubai

☆ As Iran Seizes Tankers in Gulf, U.A.E. Pulls Back From U.S.-Led Maritime Force
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United Arab Emirates announced on Wednesday that it had stopped participating in a maritime security force led by the United States, the latest hint of tensions between Washington and key Persian Gulf allies who complain that America has not done enough to protect them from Iranian threats. The unusual public statement came after Iran seized two commercial tankers in waterways near the Emirates in quick succession over the past two months. Emirati and Saudi officials have repeatedly expressed frustration with U.S. policy toward Iran. “They were unhappy with the Americans, and when the U.A.E. is not happy, they are very decisive,” said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, an Emirati political scientist.

Persons: ”, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Emirates, Emirati Foreign Ministry, Combined Maritime Forces, Saudi Locations: United States, Washington, America, Iran, Persian

☆ UK navy seizes anti-tank missiles being smuggled out of Iran, adding to a mountain of weapons intercepted by the US and its partners at sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

UK forces recently intercepted a small boat illegally smuggling missiles from Iran to Yemen. It's the latest incident to see the US and partner forces seize weapons in Middle East waters. U.S. naval forces seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles from a fishing vessel transiting along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. Once these weapons are seized, there are a handful of places they can end up — depending on what, exactly, was obtained during the raid. In some past cases, explosives have been detonated at sea while the rifles and ammunition were sent ashore to be destroyed.

☆ Western forces are raiding gunrunners at sea and throwing wrenches into Iran's plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

CENTCOM said this month that it supported "partner naval forces" during a January raid in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. naval forces seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles from a fishing vessel transiting along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. UK naval forces also seized surface-to-air missiles and cruise-missile rocket engines that came from Iran. U.S. naval forces seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles from a fishing vessel transiting along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. It remains to be seen whether the increase in raids will actually impact Iran's regional influence over the long-term.

☆ U.S. Navy seizes more than 2,000 AK-47s likely bound for Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Courtney-Kube-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Courtney Kube | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Navy seized more than 2,000 assault rifles from a fishing boat on Friday that were likely bound for Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. “This shipment is part of a continued pattern of destabilizing activity from Iran,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. A month earlier, the Navy and Coast Guard intercepted an enormous Iranian shipment of explosive materials headed to Yemen, according to U.S. Central Command. Iran has long supported the mostly Shiite Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen and are engaged in an ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia.

☆ US Navy ships caught a fishing boat smuggling over 2,000 AK-47 rifles from Iran
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US Navy forces recently found a fishing boat transporting over 2,000 rifles from Iran to Yemen. A team from the patrol coastal ship USS Chinook discovered and boarded the ship with support from fellow Cyclone-class patrol ship USS Monsoon and the guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans. Navy forces found that the ship was carrying 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles. U.S. naval forces seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles from a fishing vessel transiting along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. U.S. naval forces seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles from a fishing vessel transiting along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen.

☆ US Navy finds the same kind of Iranian suicide drone Russia has been using against Ukraine was used to attack a tanker
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US Navy identified the drone as a Shahed-136, which Russia has been using to attack Ukrainian cities. The tanker, Pacific Zircon, came under attack in the evening on November 15. The next day, US Navy explosive ordnance technicians boarded the wounded tanker to collect debris and inspect the damage. The one-way UAV attack tore a 30-inch-wide hole in the outer hull on the starboard side of the ship’s stern, just below the main deck. Meanwhile, last week's Shahed-136 attack is the second time this month that US Navy forces have reported Iranian influence in waters near the Middle East.

☆ Navy, Coast Guard intercept boat with 180 tons of Iranian explosive materials headed to Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Courtney-Kube-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Courtney Kube | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard intercepted an enormous Iranian shipment of explosive materials headed to Yemen last week, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The USS The Sullivans transferred the four Yemeni crew to the Yemeni Coast Guard in the Gulf of Aden so they could be handed over to Yemeni civil authorities. The U.S. seized a ship with 180 tons of Iranian explosive material and spent days unloading the vessel before sinking it. The dhow also had more than 100 tons of urea fertilizer, which can be used as an explosive precursor. “This was a massive amount of explosive material, enough to fuel more than a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles, depending on the size,” according to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S.

☆ U.S. Navy intercepts 'massive' shipment of explosive material in Gulf of Oman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said on Tuesday it had intercepted a fishing vessel smuggling "massive" amounts of explosive material while transiting from Iran along a route in the Gulf of Oman that has been used to traffic weapons to Yemen's Houthi group. U.S. forces found over 70 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate which is commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives, the Fifth Fleet said in a statement. "This was a massive amount of explosive material, enough to fuel more than a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles depending on the size," said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. The intercepted vessel had four Yemeni crew members and also carried 100 tonnes of urea fertilizer, which is used in agriculture but also for making explosives, the Fifth Fleet said.

☆ US Navy finds 'massive amount' of explosive material able to fuel over a dozen ballistic missiles on a fishing boat sailing from Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US Navy intercepted a fishing boat in the Gulf of Oman traveling from Iran to Yemen last week. During a search, the Navy found lethal aid and a "massive amount" of explosive material. This material is able to fuel over a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles, a Navy official said. The Navy said it sank the ship last weekend and transferred the crew to Yemen's Coast Guard. Iran is the main supporter of the Houthis, who have fought a yearslong civil war against Yemen's internationally recognized government.

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