UK sparks fresh tensions with Iran by sending second warship in Gulf waters

The United Kingdom has announced that it will be sending a second warship to the Gulf waters amid rising tensions with Iran after Britain seized an oil tanker belonging to Tehran. HMS Duncan, a Type 45 Destroyer, will operate alongside the Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose.

A senior Iranian cleric, Kazem Sedighi, reportedly said today that Britain will be "slapped in the face" for capturing Iranian tanker last week, calling on Britain to immediately release the oil tanker that British Royal Marines seized last week on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

There were reports yesterday claiming Iran Revolutionary Guards attempted to seize a UK tanker. However, Iran rejected the claims.

The tension between the two countries started escalating last week when the UK marine officials detained an oil tanker in Gibraltar. The tanker, Grace 1, was reportedly carrying Iranian crude to the Baniyas Refinery in Syria supposedly under European Union sanctions.