British tanker Stena Impero still held in Iran

he of Swedish shipping firm that owns British-flagged oil tanker held by Iran since July said on Tuesday that Stena Impero was still in Iranian waters, a day after Iran said vessel was free to move. Erik Hanell, CEO of Stena Bulk, told Associated Press that “we kw thing as to why she is still re.” Iran’s official news ncy quoted he of country’s marine and ports authority Mohamm Rast as saying tanker “will soon” leave Iranian waters but that time of its departure depended on finalizing “legal” procedures.

“Despite public statements by Iranian authorities over past three days that judicial proceedings have concluded, and Stena Impero is free to leave Iran, vessel remains detained at anchor in Bandar Abbas,” Hanell said in a statement Tuesday evening. “We continue to work hard to secure release of crew and vessel.” 

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Legal proceedings against tanker h ended

On Monday, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told journalists that legal proceedings against tanker h ended. Stena Impero has been kept in Iranian port of Bandar Abbas since July 19. “Based on a friendly approach that allows forgiving mistakes, ground for freedom of tanker has been paved and it can move,” Rabiei said. Iran seized tanker in Strait of Hormuz, narrow mouth of Persian Gulf through which 20% of world’s oil passes. raid saw commandos rappel down onto vessel via helicopter carrying assault rifles, dramatic ims later replayed on state television. 

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Iran released seven of ship’s crew members earlier

Earlier this month, Iran released seven of ship’s crew members. Sixteen remain on board. seizure came after authorities in Gibraltar seized an Iranian tanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion of it breaking European Union sanctions on Syria. Gibraltar later released tanker, n called Grace 1, after it said Iran promised ship wouldn’t go to Syria. That ship, renamed rian Darya 1, w sits off Syrian coast, angering Britain. Iran hasn’t said who purchased its 2.1 million barrels of crude oil.

ship seizures came after months of heightened tensions in Persian Gulf, sparked by President Donald Trump’s decision over a year ago to withdraw from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers and impose crippling sanctions on its vital oil tre. Iran since has begun breaking terms of deal. 

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US blames Iran for series of attacks in Middle East

Meanwhile, re have been a series of attacks across Middle East that U.S. blames on Iran. y reached ir height on Sept. 14, with a drone and missile attack on world’s largest oil processor in Saudi Arabia and an oil field, which caused oil prices to spike by biggest percent since 1991 Gulf War. While Yemen’s Iranian-allied Houthi rebels claimed assault, Saudi Arabia says it was “unquestionably sponsored by Iran.” For its part, Iran denies being responsible and has warned any retaliatory attack targeting it will result in an “all-out war.” On Monday, France, Britain and Germany jointly blamed Iran for attack. “It is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. re is or plausible explanation,” French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after meeting at United Nations in New York. U.S. also blames Iran.

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Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected accusations

Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected accusations, with IRNA carrying a ministry statement describing Monday’s joint statement by Macron, Merkel, and Johnson. y called it “irresponsible and ridiculous.” ministry said statement was a dangerous trend that igres Saudi-led coalition’s role in war in Yemen and “massive” weapons exports to Saudi Arabia by Europeans. It ded that three leers would be responsible for its impact on regional peace and stability.

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