Iran forces warned off UK warship during tanker seizure: audio

Iranian forces warned a British warship's crew against putting ir "life in danger" during seizure of a tanker this month, in a new recording of incident released Monday.

audio mess was accompanied by aerial video foot of a warship thought to be HMS Montrose, which UK defence ministry says has w been joined in Gulf waters by ar warship, HMS Duncan.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized British-flagged tanker "Stena Impero" on July 19.

"British warship Foxtrot 236, this is Sepah navy patrol boat: you are required t to interfere in this issue," an Iranian naval officer can be heard saying in recording aired on state TV.

An officer on board warship responds: "This is British warship Foxtrot 236: I am in vicinity of an internationally recognised strait with a merchant vessel in my vicinity conducting transit pass".

Iranian officer replies: "British warship Foxtrot 236, this is Sepah navy patrol boat: don't put your life in danger".

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Iranian state television also released recordings of ar incident on July 10.

"This is British warship Foxtrot 236, go ahe," a British naval officer can be heard saying.

His Iranian counterpart responds by saying: "British warship Foxtrot 236, this is Sepah navy warship... your tanker British Herit under my control. You are ordered do t to interference in my operation." Britain said on July 11 that three Iranian vessels attempted to "impede pass" of "British Herit" commercial oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions have been escalating in region for weeks, with US President Donald Trump last month calling off at last minute an air strike on Iran over its downing of a US spy drone.

Tehran has suggested July 19 seizure of Stena Impero was in retaliation for UK Royal Marines helping Gibraltar authorities detain an Iranian tanker in Mediterranean Sea two weeks earlier. 

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