<p>Masked Iranian navy commandos conducted a helicopter-borne raid to seize a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, footage aired by Iran's state television showed on Friday.</p>.<p>The capture on Thursday of the Turkish-managed, Chinese-owned Advantage Sweet represents the latest seizure by Iran amid tensions with the US over advancing nuclear program.</p>.<p>The vessel's manager, a Turkish firm called Advantage Tankers, issued a statement acknowledging the Advantage Sweet was “being escorted by the Iranian navy to a port on the basis of an international dispute.” All the ship's 24 crew members are Indian.</p>.<p>While Tehran says the tanker was seized over it running into another Iranian vessel, it has provided no evidence yet to support the claim — and the Islamic Republic has taken other ships as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.</p>.<p>The footage showed the commandos descending on the deck of the Advantage Sweet by ropes from a hovering helicopter.</p>.<p>A photograph showed one commando with his fist in the air after apparently taking the vessel.</p>.<p>The US Navy's 5th Fleet has said the Iranian seizure was at least the fifth commercial vessel taken by Tehran in the last two years.</p>.<p>“Iran's continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy,” it added.</p>.<p>“The safety and welfare of our valued crew members is our No. 1 priority,” the firm said.</p>.<p>“Similar experiences show that crew members of vessels taken under such circumstances are in no danger.” </p>
<p>Masked Iranian navy commandos conducted a helicopter-borne raid to seize a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, footage aired by Iran's state television showed on Friday.</p>.<p>The capture on Thursday of the Turkish-managed, Chinese-owned Advantage Sweet represents the latest seizure by Iran amid tensions with the US over advancing nuclear program.</p>.<p>The vessel's manager, a Turkish firm called Advantage Tankers, issued a statement acknowledging the Advantage Sweet was “being escorted by the Iranian navy to a port on the basis of an international dispute.” All the ship's 24 crew members are Indian.</p>.<p>While Tehran says the tanker was seized over it running into another Iranian vessel, it has provided no evidence yet to support the claim — and the Islamic Republic has taken other ships as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.</p>.<p>The footage showed the commandos descending on the deck of the Advantage Sweet by ropes from a hovering helicopter.</p>.<p>A photograph showed one commando with his fist in the air after apparently taking the vessel.</p>.<p>The US Navy's 5th Fleet has said the Iranian seizure was at least the fifth commercial vessel taken by Tehran in the last two years.</p>.<p>“Iran's continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy,” it added.</p>.<p>“The safety and welfare of our valued crew members is our No. 1 priority,” the firm said.</p>.<p>“Similar experiences show that crew members of vessels taken under such circumstances are in no danger.” </p>