After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel.

"We can confirm that personnel have left the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, this commercial vessel that was seized yesterday. We believe that these personnel were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-respond-to-any-adventurism-uk-summons-iranian-ambassador-over-tanker-attack-402439">Iranian</a>," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Watch:

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The State Department official however added that the US government was not in a position to confirm at this time adding that NAVCENT [United States Naval Forces Central Command] and DoD [Department of Defence] may have more information.

Oman had said the Asphalt Princess was involved in&nbsp;a&nbsp;"hijacking incident in international waters", just days after two crew members were killed after a blast rocked&nbsp;MT Mercer Street tanker off Oman as US and Israeli&nbsp;officials said it was a suspected drone attack.

Oman deployed its Air Force and Navy around the Asphalt Princess as the crisis deepened, however, UK's maritime trade securuty agency in a tweet said "Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete." &nbsp;

The UK agency had earlier categorised the incident as a "potential hijack" as the ship was headed towards the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

According to reports, shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd's List had said armed men had boarded the ship and ordered it to sail to Iran.

However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed the report, saying: "Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents."&nbsp;

Iran earlier had also denied involvment in the MV&nbsp;Mercer Street blast which the US and Israel&nbsp;blamed on an Iranian drone.

Israel said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the incident pinning it on Saeed Ara Jani who Israel said is the head of the IRGC's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Command and the "man that is personally responsible for the terror attacks in the Gulf of Oman."

(With inputs from Agencies)

After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel.

After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel. "We can confirm that personnel have left the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, this commercial vessel that was seized yesterday. We believe that these personnel were Iranian," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Watch: The State Department official however added that the US government was not in a position to confirm at this time adding that NAVCENT [United States Naval Forces Central Command] and DoD [Department of Defence] may have more information. Oman had said the Asphalt Princess was involved in a "hijacking incident in international waters", just days after two crew members were killed after a blast rocked MT Mercer Street tanker off Oman as US and Israeli officials said it was a suspected drone attack. Oman deployed its Air Force and Navy around the Asphalt Princess as the crisis deepened, however, UK's maritime trade securuty agency in a tweet said "Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete." The UK agency had earlier categorised the incident as a "potential hijack" as the ship was headed towards the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd's List had said armed men had boarded the ship and ordered it to sail to Iran. However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed the report, saying: "Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents." Iran earlier had also denied involvment in the MV Mercer Street blast which the US and Israel blamed on an Iranian drone. Israel said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the incident pinning it on Saeed Ara Jani who Israel said is the head of the IRGC's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Command and the "man that is personally responsible for the terror attacks in the Gulf of Oman." (With inputs from Agencies)

We believe Iranians seized Asphalt Princess tanker: US

Britain's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the "potential hijack" of the ship off UAE's coast has ended&nbsp;just days after an attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast.

US State Department had said it was looking into reports of a maritime incident in the Gulf of Oman as Britain's foreign ministry said it was "urgently investigating" the incident.

The incident is linked to the Panama-flagged tanker Asphalt Princess in UAE’s Fujairah area in the Gulf of Oman.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-israel-tensions-escalate-after-tanker-connected-to-israeli-billionaire-comes-under-drone-attack-402576/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier warned ships to exercise extreme caution due to an incident approximately 60 nautical miles east of Fujairah.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoting three maritime security sources reported Iran-backed forces were believed to be behind the incident. However, Iran dismissed the claims, with the foreign ministry saying: "Reported 'incidents' in the Persian Gulf and broader region appear utterly suspicious".

"Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

The tanker was reportedly travelling to Sohar, a port in Oman. UKMTO categorised it as a "potential hijack".

The development comes amid the row over MT Mercer Street tanker blast in which two crew members belonging to Britain and Romania were killed.

Israel and the US blamed the attack on the Iranian drone. The vessel was owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The US and Britain said they will work with allies to work towards an appropriate response even as Iran denied any involvement in the suspected drone strike.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Britain's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the "potential hijack" of the ship off UAE's coast has ended just days after an attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast.

Britain's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the "potential hijack" of the ship off UAE's coast has ended just days after an attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast. US State Department had said it was looking into reports of a maritime incident in the Gulf of Oman as Britain's foreign ministry said it was "urgently investigating" the incident. The incident is linked to the Panama-flagged tanker Asphalt Princess in UAE’s Fujairah area in the Gulf of Oman. Watch: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier warned ships to exercise extreme caution due to an incident approximately 60 nautical miles east of Fujairah. Meanwhile, Reuters quoting three maritime security sources reported Iran-backed forces were believed to be behind the incident. However, Iran dismissed the claims, with the foreign ministry saying: "Reported 'incidents' in the Persian Gulf and broader region appear utterly suspicious". "Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. The tanker was reportedly travelling to Sohar, a port in Oman. UKMTO categorised it as a "potential hijack". The development comes amid the row over MT Mercer Street tanker blast in which two crew members belonging to Britain and Romania were killed. Israel and the US blamed the attack on the Iranian drone. The vessel was owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The US and Britain said they will work with allies to work towards an appropriate response even as Iran denied any involvement in the suspected drone strike. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Potential hijack' of ship off UAE coast has ended, says UK maritime security agency

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We believe Iranians seized Asphalt Princess tanker: US

'Potential hijack' of ship off UAE coast has ended, says UK maritime security agency