UPDATE 1-Iran's defence minister says Britain's seizure of oil tanker was threatening act
- Country:
- Iran Islamic Rep
Britain's seizing of an Iranian oil tanker last week was a threatening act that will not be tolerated, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Hatami said on Monday in a speech broadcast live on state television.
Royal Marines impounded the tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Iran denies the vessel was headed to Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is an ally of Tehran. Authorities in the British territory said the tanker can be held for up to 14 days. An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatened to seize a British ship in retaliation.
"These days we witnessed a threatening act from the government of England in the Strait of Gibraltar against a tanker from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Hatami said. "This is an incorrect and wrong action, an action similar to maritime robbery...certainly these kinds of robberies will not be tolerated." The tanker was not headed to Syria, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, without specifying the final destination of the vessel.
Hatami said Iran's downing of an unmanned American aircraft last month sent a message that the Islamic Republic would defend its borders. Washington said the drone was shot down over international waters. Separately, Iranian army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Monday that Iran is not looking for war with any country, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Indian American Akshay Bhatia claims dramatic win, books Augusta Masters spot
Indian-American Akshay Bhatia claims dramatic win, books Augusta Masters spot
Science News Roundup: Forecasts for cloudy skies cast shadow over North American solar eclipse; SpaceX launches South Korea's second spy satellite amid race with North and more
Biden seeks to cancel some interest on student loans, aiding 23 million Americans
Biden seeks to cancel some interest on student loans, aiding 23 million Americans