Iran hijacks British oil tankers as crisis grows
IRAN last night seized two British oil tankers in the Gulf – edging the world closer to the brink of conflict.
In a major escalation of tensions, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched a guerilla-style attack to confiscate the Stena Impero as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
It was later reported that a second British tanker had been taken, with UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt expressing ‘extreme concern’ and demanding the return of the ‘two vessels’.
The Stena Impero was surrounded by heavily armed Iranian vessels and a helicopter around 4pm and ordered to turn north.
The second vessel, the Mesdar, is Liberian flagged, but owned by British company Norbulk Shipping. It was ordered by Iran to turn north around 45 minutes later.
It was a deliberate act of provocation because the UK-flagged ships were in international waters.
None of the 23 crew on board the Stena Impero is understood to be British, and there were no reported injuries.
Mr Hunt said: ‘These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region.’
Prime minister Theresa May ordered a meeting of Britain’s Cobra emergency committee, and the UK government said it was ‘urgently’ seeking details over the situation.
US president Donald Trump last night called Iran ‘nothing but trouble’, adding: ‘It goes to show I was right about Iran.’
Mr Trump said he would speak to Mrs May about last night’s incident, adding: ‘We will talk to the UK. They’ve been a very great ally of ours.’
Britain’s Royal Navy is bolstering its presence in the Gulf after Iran warned that the UK’s interests would ‘soon feel the slap of the powerful hands of the Islamic Republic’.
‘Nothing but trouble’