Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps( IRGC) has said it has seized two Greek canvas tankers in the Persian Gulf allegedly for committing “ violations. ”
According to reports, Greek canvas tankers Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon have been moved to Iranian waters many country miles off the Persian Gulf seacoast.
It came shortly after a news agency near Iran’s top security agency on Friday said “ corrective action ” will be taken against Greece for seizing an Iranian canvas tanker.
Nour News, combined with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the tanker had been seized by the Greek government and its canvas weight transferred to the Americans “ in violation of transnational shipping and maritime protocols. ”
The tanker was reportedly seized nearly seven weeks ago in Greece on the orders of the US Department of Justice as they allowed the vessel, operated by Russia, to be covered by warrants on Russian means.
Latterly, it was reported that the vessel was held for specialized blights, but authorities in Greece claimed the vessel was smuggling Iranian crude in breach of transnational warrants.
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US pressure
It has led to heightened pressures between Tehran and Athens, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry demanding the release of the boat and canvas, criminating the Greek government from succumbing to US pressure.
Before Friday, the ministry summoned the Swiss charge d’affaires, who represent US interests in Tehran, to protest the seizure of the canvas tanker in Greek territorial waters.
In a statement, the ministry said it conveyed its kick over “ continued violation of transnational laws and maritime conventions regarding free navigation and trade by the US administration. ”
On Wednesday, the ministry summoned the Greek-charged affairs in Tehran to protest what it nominated as an “ inferior ” rendition to “ illegal ” US pressure.
The same day, Iran’s Anchorages and Maritime Organization also issued a statement, describing the move as an “ act of pirating ” and a “ violation of transnational norms. ”
It said the tanker was held by the Greek government on the country’s seacoast, and the weight onboard the vessel was “ seized through a court order ” and “ in collaboration ” with the US government.
Iran has frequently indicted the US government of seizing its canvas tankers in transnational waters. The processions of the two countries have also had close competition in the Persian Gulf near Iran’s territorial waters.
Source: TRT World