Iranian state television says Tehran seized South Korean-flagged tanker over alleged ‘oil pollution’

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has begun enriching uranium up to 20% at an underground facility and seized a South Korean-flagged oil tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions in the Middle East between Tehran and the West. The announcement Monday of enrichment at Fordo came as fears rose that Tehran had seized the MT Hankuk Chemi. Iran later acknowledged the seizure, alleging the vessel’s “oil pollution” sparked the move. However, hours earlier, Tehran said a South Korean diplomat was expected to visit in the coming days to negotiate the release of billions of dollars in its assets now frozen in Seoul.