WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- As the price of gas in the United States rises, a Greek oil tanker that was seized by Iran holds tens of thousands of gallons of oil worth more than $100 million that were headed to Texas, according to an administration official and a former administration official.
In late May, the tanker Prudent Warrior was traveling from Iraq to the U.S., according to the officials, when Iran seized it in the Persian Gulf.
“We have no comment on the destination of the ship or the oil. And we have no comment on our diplomatic engagements,” a Department of State spokesperson said. “The United States continues to stand with Greece, our key NATO ally and partner in the face of this unjustified seizure.”
Officials confirmed that the Iranian military seized the two tankers, the Prudent Warrior and the Delta Poseidon, by launching forces from helicopters in the Persian Gulf. They said Iran confiscated the tankers in retaliation for Greece helping the U.S. seize an Iranian-flagged tanker with crude oil in the Mediterranean Sea in April.
Greek authorities last month seized the Iranian-flagged Pegas, with 19 Russian crew members on board, near the coast of the southern island of Evia.
The U.S. later confiscated the Iranian oil cargo held onboard, according to Reuters.