HMS MONTROSE CHALLENGES IRANIAN NAVY

The following is a transcript of the exchange between a British warship, the Iranian navy and the Stena Impero

Iranian navy: If you obey, you will be safe. If you obey, you will be safe. Alter your course to 3-6-0 degrees immediately. Over.

HMS Montrose: ‘MV Stena Impero,’ this is the British warship Foxtrot 236 [inaudible] ... I reiterate that as you are conducting transit passage in a recognised international strait, under international law, your passage must not be impaired, impeded, obstructed or hampered. Please confirm you are conducting transit passage in recognised international strait.

Iranian navy: ‘Stena Impero,’ ‘Stena Impero,’ I say again my last. You are ordered, change your course to 3-6-0. 3-6-0 degrees immediately. If you obey, you will be safe. Over.

HMS Montrose: Al Sepah Navy patrol boat, this is British warship Foxtrot.

Sharjah port: Sail three

Iranian navy: Foxtrot 236 this is Al Sepah navy patrol boat.

No challenge is intended. No challenge is intended. I want to inspect the ship for security reasons.

HMS Montrose: Al Sepah navy patrol boat, this is British Warship foxtrot 236. Sir your request that you are transmitting to the ‘Stena Impero’ … [inaudible]

Sharjah port: ...[inaudible] Sharjah port control, Sharjah port control to [inaudible]

HMS Montrose: … [inaudible] … Hinder and impede her passage … you must not impair, impede, obstruct or hamper the passage of the ‘MV Stena Impero,’ she is currently … [inaudible] … Please confirm you are not intending to violate international law by unlawfully attempting to board the ‘MV Stena’ …

unknown: …[inaudible] Sharjah port, come in.

unknown: ‘Stana Impero’ this is [inaudible] boarding in vicinity.

Iranian navy: If you obey you will be safe captain. Alter your course to 3-6-0 degrees immediately captain … [inaudible]