Iran seized American Oil Tanker St Nicholas sailing in Red Sea

Iran seized an oil tanker carrying Iraqi oil bound for Turkey last year in retaliation for the US seizure of the same ship and its oil, raising tensions over a possible war to a new level.

The capture of San Nicolas coincided with Yemeni Houthi attacks aimed at disrupting Red Sea trade.

"Following the theft of Iranian oil by the United States last year, the tanker St. Nicholas was seized this morning by the Iranian navy on a court order ... it departed for Iranian ports," the semi-official Fars News Agency. reported. Citing a naval statement.

Saint Nicolas has made number of distant calls to nearby sailing American Navy ships but all in vain and fallen of deaf ears.

The Saint Nicholas was seized by the United States last year as part of a sanctions operation while at sea under another name, Suez Rajan. After this decision, Iran has warned America that "there will be no reaction to this decision."