---
title: "Video shows masked Iranian commandos rappelling onto British tanker in Strait of Hormuz"
date: "2019-07-21"
modified: "2019-07-21"
authors:
  - name: "Paul Szoldra"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/iran-video-ship-rappel/"
categories:
  - "Around the World"
  - "Europe"
  - "Iran"
  - "News"
  - "Ships"
  - "Tanks"
  - "Tech & Tactics"
  - "Vehicles"
tags:
  - "central command"
  - "Terrorism"
  - "video"
---

# Video shows masked Iranian commandos rappelling onto British tanker in Strait of Hormuz

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/19942596-1.png>)

Video footage aired on Iranian state television on Saturday shows masked commandos rappelling from a helicopter onto a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

In the footage, Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps troops can be seen preparing to board the Stena Impero from inside the helicopter. Other footage shows the perspective from Iranian boats that surrounded the vessel. Iran's seizure of the ship came in response to the July 4 capture of an Iranian oil tanker by Royal Marines.

Britain said Iran's seizure of the ship was a "hostile act." Iran has claimed that all 23 crew members are "safe and in good health."

Before the ship was boarded, an English-speaking Iranian officer called to the tanker over the radio and said, "If you obey, you will be safe. Alter your course to 360 degrees immediately, over."

A nearby British warship advised the [tanker to maintain its course](<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/21/world/middleeast/iran-tanker-uk-navy-audio.html>), though the Royal Navy vessel was not close enough to offer protection.

Above the vessel, the video shows Iranian troops looking down on the ship and pointing out where to board, before dropping a rope that a half-dozen commandos slide down onto the ship.

You can watch the footage below, via The Sun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmdfgOFAbAc

Iranian special forces rappel onto the British oil tanker Stena Impero

[www.youtube.com](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmdfgOFAbAc>)

## Author
Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](<https://www.duffelblog.com/>), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California.

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