The suezmax tanker previously at the centre of an Iranian cargo seizure row involving the US has been boarded by military personnel in the Gulf of Oman, in an apparent tit-for-tat move by Tehran.

The 158,600-dwt St Nikolas (built 2011), formerly the Suez Rajan, was seized on Thursday morning by four to five unauthorised armed personnel, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).