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A tanker under U.S. sanctions, accused of carrying Iranian oil products, has become the latest victim of a renewed surge in Somali piracy after being seized off the coast of Yemen and rerouting toward Somalia.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization, the tanker “Sibu 1,” flying the Eritrean flag, was seized on Thursday, August 20 (29 Mordad), by six armed individuals. The tanker had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in December of last year for allegedly being part of the “shadow fleet” that helps evade U.S. sanctions by routing Iranian oil products.

Based on data from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and reports from UKMTO, the Sibu 1 tanker is at least the 13th vessel that has been attacked this year off the coast of Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden (which connects Somalia and Yemen).

According to IMB data, throughout 2025 there were only five recorded incidents of this kind.