Tehran trap
Government will take on Monday. He said: “Our priority continues to be to find a way to de-escalate the situation.
“We need that ship released and we continue to be very concerned about the safety and welfare of the 23 crew.”
It was initially suggested by Iran that the tanker had been in collision with a fishing boat, violating maritime rules.
But later Iran linked the seizure with Britain’s role in detaining a tanker off Gibraltar earlier this month. It was carrying Iranian oil bound for Syria, in breach of EU sanctions. A spokesman for Iran’s Guardian Council was quoted as saying “the rule of reciprocal action is well known in international law” and that Tehran made the right decision in the face of an “illegitimate economic war and seizure of oil tankers”.
While Britain seeks a diplomatic solution it is feared Iran’s IRGC or its proxy forces – local terrorist militia – could strike in Iraq and Syria if international tensions escalate.
Yesterday, Stena released a statement saying the tanker is anchored at Bandar Bahonar and the crew – of Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino nationality – “are in good health”.
It also emerged Britain is to a send nuclear-powered attack submarine to the Gulf, but sources stressed that it would perform a purely defensive role.
More than a fifth of the world’s oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz – around 17 million barrels per day.
And rising tensions could mean higher petrol prices. The AA’s Luke Bosdet said: “Our big fear is that the cost of fuel may get worse.”