British Navy accuses Iran of trying to hijack UAE oil tanker

London/Dubai – The British navy accused that a pro-Iranian group was behind the abduction- a failed attempt to hijack a fuel tanker from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Iran has said this is part of a psychological pressure tactic and the allegations against it are false. Last week, Iran was blamed for a drone strike on an Israeli ship off the coast of Oman. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have risen since the incident over a UAE ship.

The oil tanker Asphalt Princess was hijacked on Tuesday. The British navy said the ship, owned by Glory International in the UAE, was seized by pro-Iranian groups in the Gulf of Oman. The British navy said the hijackers left the ship a few hours later. An Iranian military official has accused the West, Israel and Saudi Arabia of using the media to spread confusing information regarding Iran. He also accused the countries of waging a psychological pressure war against Iran.

Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom, along with Israel, have blamed Iran for last week’s drone strikes on Israeli ships. Oman has deployed patrol boats and aircraft to protect its marine region after Tuesday’s incident.