CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seize two oil tankers - the British-flagged Stena Impero and the Liberian-flagged Mesdar – in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging infringement of maritime regulations.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Stena Impero was passing through international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that connects the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, on 19 July when it was detained by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Detailed explanation-3: -The seizure was seen as an act of retaliation, since the British detained an Iranian oil tanker, the Grace 1, earlier that same month. The Grace 1 was halted in the semiautonomous British territory of Gibraltar and was released in August after local authorities rejected U.S. requests to keep the tanker impounded.

Detailed explanation-4: -Why do the UAE, Iran both claim control over 3 Strait of Hormuz islands? - explainer. THE STRAIT of Hormuz between Iran and Oman is a major artery for oil circulation, targeted by Iran in the event of war.

Detailed explanation-5: -Recent tensions between Iran and the US are threatening the safety of the world’s ships and movement oil in the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow strait is the most important chokepoint for the world’s oil supply.