The World : Iran Intercepting Tankers
Iran said it is intercepting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since it threatened 18 months ago to confiscate oil sold by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to support Iraq’s war effort. Iran and Iraq have been fighting for 5 1/2 years. Mohammed Hussein Malekzadegan, commander of the Iranian navy, said tankers were among 17 ships intercepted Monday, Tehran radio reported. “We mainly interrogate them, not inspect them,” Malekzadegan said. “If they are in any way involved with our enemy, they will be seized.” Kuwait and Saudi Arabia reportedly have been selling up to 320,000 barrels of oil a day on behalf of Iraq.
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