Iran seizes two Greek tankers amid rising tensions in the Gulf

Iran has seized two Greek tankers in helicopter-launched attacks in the Gulf amid a dramatic rise in tension and violent incidents in the region.

With talks stalled among major powers and Iran on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal, there are increasing signs that Tehran and its enemies are prepared to resort to force to advance their interests.

According to the Times, Israel has also informed the US that it was behind the assassination of an IRGC colonel, Sayyad Khodai, who was shot by gunmen on motorbikes as he was getting out of his car outside his home in Tehran on Sunday. An unnamed intelligence official was quoted as saying Israel intended the killing to serve as a warning to Tehran to stop targeting Israeli citizens abroad.

If confirmed, the attack on Parchin would mark a sharp uptick in the covert drone war between Iran and Israel. In February, Israel is reported to have sent six quadcopter drones to hit an Iranian military drone manufacturing facility near the city of Kermanshah.

In retaliation, Iran launched a missile strike on buildings inside Iraq which it believed were being used by Israeli intelligence to launch the attack on Kermanshah.