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Iran tanker seizure: UK 'deeply concerned'
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49054586Iran tanker seizure: UK 'deeply concerned'
22 minutes ago
The UK government has said it is "deeply concerned" about Iran's "unacceptable" seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf. The Stena Impero's owners say they have been unable to contact the ship, which was seized in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the region.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned of "serious consequences" if the situation is not resolved quickly.
Iran said the ship was "violating international maritime rules".
A second British-owned Liberian-flagged tanker, the MV Mesdar, was also boarded by armed guards but was released.
The Stena Impero was seized on Friday by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The tanker was surrounded by four vessels and a helicopter before heading into Iranian waters, Mr Hunt said.
He described the seizures as "completely unacceptable" and said "freedom of navigation must be maintained". "We are not looking at military options," he added. "We are looking at a diplomatic way to resolve this situation."
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the tanker was seized after it collided with a fishing boat and failed to respond to calls from the smaller craft.
(snip)
