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Tehran’s troops boarded two Greek oil tankers after Athens enabled the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel
Iranian troopers seized two oil tankers flying the Greek flag within the Persian Gulf on Friday, whereas Tehran protested the confiscation of certainly one of its personal vessels in Greek waters earlier this week, calling it US “piracy.” Washington reportedly plans to promote the ship’s oil cargo, which was confiscated underneath sanctions focusing on Russia.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy troops used helicopters to board the tankers Delta Poseidon and Prudent Warrior on Friday, the trade monitor Lloyd’s Checklist reported. The ships had been “later escorted by naval vessels from worldwide site visitors lanes to Iranian waters a couple of miles off the coast,” in accordance with the identical supply.
The Greek International Ministry confirmed the seizure of the 2 vessels and demanded their launch. Iranian media likewise confirmed the seize of the ships, making clear it was reprisal in opposition to the actions of the federal government in Athens. Greater than 25% of the world’s tankers fly the Greek flag.
“The Islamic Republic has determined to take punitive measures in opposition to Greece after it seized an Iranian tanker and let the US authorities confiscate its crude oil,” reported Nour Information, an outlet affiliated with the IRGC.
#BREAKING A second Greek-flagged oil tanker, Prudent Warrior, has additionally been seized by the Iranian navy, in accordance with @LloydsList.The seizure of the 2 vessels is available in response to Greece’s transfer to grab an Iranian tanker and letting the US confiscate its crude oil. pic.twitter.com/R2THAMo1d4
— Iran Worldwide English (@IranIntl_En) May 27, 2022
In the meantime, the Iranian International Ministry had summoned the ambassador of Switzerland – which represents US pursuits in Tehran – to protest the seizure of the Iranian-flagged tanker Pegas in Greek waters on Wednesday.
“The Islamic Republic expressed its deep concern over the US authorities’s continued violation of worldwide legal guidelines and worldwide maritime conventions,” in accordance with the state information company IRNA.
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Group mentioned the tanker had sought shelter alongside the Greek coast from unhealthy climate after experiencing technical issues, and referred to as the seizure of its cargo “a transparent instance of piracy.”
Whereas the US authorities didn’t formally remark, Reuters reported on Thursday that Washington was planning to take the oil to the US on board one other vessel, quoting three sources conversant in the matter.
The US has sanctioned Iran’s oil exports and beforehand seized Iranian tankers sure for Venezuela, citing its sanctions in opposition to Caracas. The seize of Pegas, nonetheless, appears to be associated to sanctions in opposition to Moscow.
Pegas was beforehand owned by the Russian firm Transmorflot and was sanctioned by the US on February 22, two days earlier than the hostilities in Ukraine started. Transmorflot itself was sanctioned on Could 8, however Pegas – renamed Lana on March 1 – was already underneath Iranian possession by then and has been flying Tehran’s flag since Could 1.
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