The Turkish company "TUPRAS" confirmed in a statement that the vessel Saint Nicholas, which was seized by Iranian forces off the coast of Oman, was carrying a shipment of Iraqi crude oil from Basra sold by the state-owned Iraqi oil marketing company (SOMO). TUPRAS told Reuters, "The mentioned tanker is carrying about 140,000 tons of crude oil purchased by TUPRAS from the state-owned oil marketing company SOMO and was en route from Basra port to our refinery."
The United States condemned Iran's seizure of the oil tanker on Thursday and called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew. Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department Vedant Patel stated in a regular press briefing that "the United States will continue to consult with regional partners on appropriate steps to hold Iran accountable." U.S. National Security spokesperson John Kirby remarked that "there is absolutely no justification for seizing it, none at all. They should let it sail."
