DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Masked Iranian navy commandos performed a helicopter-borne raid to grab a U.S.-bound oil tanker within the Gulf of Oman, footage aired by Iran’s state tv confirmed Friday.

The seize on Thursday of the Turkish-managed, Chinese-owned Advantage Sweet represents the most recent seizure by Iran amid tensions with the U.S. over advancing nuclear program. While Tehran says the tanker was seized over it working into one other Iranian vessel, it has offered no proof but to assist the declare - and the Islamic Republic has taken different ships as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.

The footage confirmed the commandos descending on the deck of the Advantage Sweet by ropes from a hovering helicopter. {A photograph} confirmed one commando along with his fist within the air after apparently taking the vessel.

The U.S. Navy’s fifth Fleet has stated the Iranian seizure was at the least the fifth industrial vessel taken by Tehran within the final two years.

“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.

The vessel’s supervisor, a Turkish agency known as Advantage Tankers, issued a press release 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.

PHOTOS: Iran TV airs footage of commandos seizing US-bound tanker

“The safety and welfare of our valued crew members is our No. 1 priority,” the agency stated. “Similar experiences show that crew members of vessels taken under such circumstances are in no danger.”

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