In a video released by Iran, a masked commando slides down a rope from a helicopter on to the deck of a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran took the Advantage Sweet oil tanker into custody on April 27.
A few days later, the US Navy released another video, this one showing Iranian fast-attack boats encircling the Niovi, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, in the Strait of Hormuz.
In the span of a week, Iran had commandeered two tankers, threatening shipping and antagonising Washington — the latter a tactic it has often fallen back on in times of economic difficulty at home.
Behnam Ben Talebu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies in Washington, said Iranian security planners or national security decision makers have a simple philosophy.
“If [they] can't export oil, no one will export oil. [That] best explains how the regime sees this,” he told The National.
The US has attacked Iran’s economy with heavy sanctions since former president Donald Trump pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018.
Many of the US sanctions have hit its oil industry, frustrating Tehran’s ability to export petroleum.
Mr Ben Talebu said Iran probably sees the maritime seizures as a way to “press for greater sanctions relief” from the US.
In the case of the Panama-flagged tanker Niovi, which had left Dubai and was travelling towards Fujairah when the fast-attack boats intercepted it, the seizure appears to be tied to a previous legal dispute over Iranian-shipped oil.
Tehran on Wednesday announced that the Niovi had been seized because of a private complaint and a subsequent order by relevant judicial authorities, the Irna said, without giving additional details.
“Our belief is that the Niovi tanker was seized as part of a legal dispute. In 2020, Niovi was suspected of transporting Iranian oil to China,” said Claire Jungman, chief of staff of the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran.
But there could also be some internal strife in Iran.
The first seizure was carried out by Iran’s navy, known as the Artesh, while the second one was undertaken by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
“The second seizure … could rather be a further sign of internal rivalry between the IRGC and Artesh, more like an assertion by the IRGC that they should be doing these kind of operations,” according to Farzin Nadimi, an associate fellow at the Washington Institute For Near East Foreign Policy.
The latest seizures come as relations with regional powers, especially Saudi Arabia, are improving.
In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China.
Analysts in Washington believe Iran may be attempting to further distance Saudi Arabia from the US.
“The Saudi-China relationship, and in general, the GCC-China relationship is something Washington is going to have to contend with, given that the initial grand bargain between America and Saudi Arabia was essentially energy for security,” Mr Ben Talebu said.
“And with changing Saudi energy exports, the direction those exports go, and there is going to be this outsize question as to what an updated version of that bargain looks like for Washington and Riyadh.”
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday announced he would be travelling to Saudi Arabia this weekend to develop ties and demonstrate America's “unshakeable” commitment to the Middle East.
Robert Tollast contributed to this report
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Available: Now
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
SPECS
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MATCH INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Price: From Dh590,000
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
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Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
