British flagged Swedish owned tanker seized
A BRITISH-flagged Swedish owned tanker has been seized by Iran and is heading for the Revolutionary Guard base at Qeshm Island.
Northern Marine, a subsidiary of Stena AB, confirmed "hostile action" had occurred before the tanker Stena Impero changed its course this afternoon.
It is believed 23 crew members were on board.
Just a few days ago Iran's supreme leader had threatened Britain will retaliation over what he described as the "vicious" seizure of an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar by UK forces.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused Britain of “piracy” after the Royal Marines seized a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria on July 5.He has called for the immediate release of the oil tanker Grace 1, which was detained on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria. In a TV speech, the Ayatollah said: “Evil Britain commits piracy and steals our ship and gives it a legal appearance.“ Iran and those who believe in our system will not leave such vicious deeds unanswered.”
Iran's Revolutionary Guard also seized another oil tanker on Sunday, the Panama-flagged MT Riah.The country later released a video showing the troops in speedboats seizing the tanker along with 12 members which it accused of smuggling oil.The unverified video shows the moment two speedboats circulating the Panama-flagged MT Riah.
The foreign oil tanker was reportedly then seized shortly after being surrounded in stormy waters.