An oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was intercepted by smaller vessels and suddenly diverted course into Iranian territorial waters, the private security firm Ambrey said Friday.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation (UKTM) warned that "state activity" may be the reason.

It is not immediately clear if Tehran is behind the seizure, but Iran has done similar in the past.

Details offered by the UKMTO and the private security firm Ambrey corresponded to a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker called Talara, which had left Ajman in the United Arab Emirates bound for Singapore.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.

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