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Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Iran Seizes Another Foreign Tanker in Gulf Strait


Sun 04 Aug 2019 | 11:34 AM
H-Tayea

Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker allegedly “smuggling fuel” to unspecified Arab states, according to state media.

 

"The IRGC's naval forces have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf that was smuggling fuel for some Arab countries," Press TV reported, referring to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and quoting IRGC commander Ramezan Zirahi as saying.

 

The vessel was carrying 700,000 litres of fuel, and was carrying seven sailors, the TV station added.

 

In July, the IRGC seized a UK-flagged vessel, amid heightened tensions in the vital shipping lane.

The Guards, an elite force under the command of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said they seized the Stena Impero at the request of Iranian authorities for “not following international maritime regulations,” state television reported.

Northern Marine Management said the Stena Impero was heading north towards Iran. Northern Marine Group is owned by Stena AB.

 

On its part, Britain’s foreign minister said that information about the Stena Impero is badly sought, after the tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia, suddenly changed course after passing through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.

Britain’s foreign minister Jeremy Hunt described the capture of both tankers as unacceptable. “I’m extremely concerned” about the seizures of both ships,” he added.

 

Earlier, Iran had vowed to retaliate against the seizure in Gibraltar and days later three Iranian vessels tried to block a British-owned tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian ships backed off when confronted by a British navy ship.