Britain Says Seizure of Two Vessels by Iran ‘Unacceptable’ – Gulf Tensions

• Britain Says Seizure of Two Vessels by Iran ‘Unacceptable’ – Gulf Tensions
  by https://www.trtworld.com/
  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it confiscated the tanker “Stena Impero” in strategic Strait of Hormuz for breaking “international maritime rules.” Britain says Iran also seized a Liberian-flagged vessel.
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  Friday, July 19
  Second ship seized by Iran – UK
  Britain said Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was unacceptable and called for freedom of navigation in the Gulf. “I’m extremely concerned by the seizure of two naval vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz,” Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.
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  “I will shortly attend a COBR (national security) meeting to review what we know and what we can do to swiftly secure the release of the two vessels – a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel,” he said. “These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region,” Hunt said.
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  Iran says it has seized a British oil tanker
  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it has seized a British oil tanker that was passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Guard’s website, sepahnews.com, said the tanker “Stena Impero” was seized on Friday by the Guard’s forces for “non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations” and has transferred the vessel to an Iranian port.
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  The company that manages the vessel said it was unable to contact the crew after it was approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz.
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