By Chicago Times Magazine –

November 17, 2025

US Central Command says Iranian forces boarded and seized the Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker M/V Talara in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz on November 14, then steered the vessel into Iran’s territorial waters where it remains under Iranian control.

Central Command reports that operatives from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted an armed boarding after arriving on the tanker by helicopter. The boarding culminated in the seizure of the M/V Talara and its subsequent movement into Iranian waters.

U.S. officials described the action as an illegal use of military force against a commercial vessel in international waters, saying it violates international law and threatens freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce. Washington has urged Tehran to explain the legal basis for the seizure to the international community.

U.S. forces monitored the incident and said they will remain vigilant, working with partners and allies to promote regional peace and stability while tracking developments related to the seized vessel.

Officials did not provide additional operational details or say when the tanker might be released. International and allied responses are expected to shape the next diplomatic and security moves in the region.

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