Iran seized the Marshall Islands–flagged oil tanker Talara in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, diverting it into Iranian territorial waters in the first such interdiction in months.

The tanker, traveling from the UAE to Singapore, was intercepted by Iranian forces as a U.S. Navy surveillance drone monitored the incident, according to a U.S. official.

Maritime security agencies, including the U.K.’s UKMTO, acknowledged the event as possible “state activity,” while the ship’s management company said it lost contact with the vessel and is working to ensure the crew’s safety.

The seizure follows escalating regional tensions after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel and a history of Iranian attacks and detentions of commercial vessels, the AP has reported.

Iran has long threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, while the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet continues to patrol the area to maintain open passage.