US "confiscates" Iranian oil cargo on tanker.

247 - The United States "confiscated" Iranian oil from a tanker in recent days, three sources told Reuters, and days later Iran seized another oil tanker in retaliation, according to a maritime security firm. The action is part of an operation to enforce sanctions against Iran over the country's nuclear program.

Cargo seized by the US is often later sold, which Tehran describes as theft and piracy.

As oil markets remain tense, the seizure of the cargo is the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran following years of US sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. Iran does not recognize the sanctions, citing legal impediments to building nuclear weapons, and its oil exports have been increasing.

The maritime security company Ambrey said the US move came at least five days before Iran's action on Thursday.

"Ambrey assessed the seizure by the Iranian Navy as a response to US action," the company said in a statement to customers.

Sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that Washington took control of the oil cargo aboard the Marshall Islands-based tanker Suez Rajan after obtaining a prior court order. The tanker's last reported position was near southern Africa on April 22, ship tracking data showed. (With Reuters).