Iran Seizes UAE Flagged Tanker

Iran announced on Monday that it seized a UAE flagged tanker, allegedly “smuggling fuel”, in the Strait of Hormuz and detained its 11 crew.

This is not the first time Iran has detained tankers in the region for allegedly smuggling fuel.

Months ago, Iran has detained a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, while Britain detained the Iranian tanker Adriana on the pretext that it was carrying fuel to Syria in clear violation of international law.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran would respond to the British “piracy” regarding the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar, Reuters reported.

Iran has called on Britain to immediately release the tanker, which was seized by the British Royal Marines on suspicion of violating European sanctions by transporting oil to Syria.

“Evil Britain commits piracy and steals our ship … and gives it a legal appearance. Iran and those who believe in our system will not leave such evil deeds unanswered,” Khamenei said in televised remarks.

Meanwhile, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, threatened that the British seizure of the Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar “will not go unanswered”.

on the other hand, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards  said they seized the Stena Impero at the request of Iranian authorities for “not following international maritime regulations,” state television reported.