Wall Street Journal claims US planning to seize Iran-linked oil tankers at sea

The United States is reportedly preparing to take control of oil tankers linked to Iran by boarding them in international waters, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The report claims that the US military is planning operations to intercept Iranian oil tankers and potentially seize commercial vessels on the high seas.

These actions, it said, would take place in international waters.

According to the publication, Washington aims to increase pressure on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions regarding its nuclear programme.

The report suggests that the strategy is intended to influence Iran’s maritime and diplomatic positions.

It further states that the United States could actively pursue any vessel flying the Iranian flag or any ship suspected of providing material support to Iran.