Iran, on Monday, has said that British-flagged tanker Stena Impero was free to leave. decision came just when Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is on a visit to New York for 74th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). tanker h been captured in July by Revolutionary Guard Corps in Strait of Hormuz on allegations of international maritime rules violation. vessel was seized two weeks after an Iranian tanker was captured by United Kingdom just off coast of Gibraltar. 

RE | Iran May Release Stena Impero Within Hours Says Swedish Owner

Legal process finished

According to Iran’s official news ncy, Iran's government spokesperson has said that legal process was over and conditions to let tanker go free were fulfilled. Rabiei has t confirmed about date on which tanker would start its journey and re-enter international waters. Iran has alrey released 23-member crew on September 4. Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Abbas Mousavi h said that decision to release crew members was me in line with Iran's ‘humanitarian policies’.

RE | Iran To Release Seized British Oil Tanker Stena Impero 'soon''

Swedish firm confirmed developments

On September 22, chief executive of firm that owns vessel confirmed that vessel will be released soon. “We have received information w this morning that it seems like y will release ship Stena Impero within a few hours. So we understand that political decision to release ship has been taken,” a Swedish Brocaster quoted Stena Bulk Chief Executive Erik Hanell. “We hope to be able to he out within a few hours, but we don’t want to anticipate events. We want to see that ship sails out of Iranian territorial waters,” he ded.

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Increased Iran-US tension after drone attack on Saudi oil facilities

confirmation of release is an important step at time when United States is putting pressure on its European allies to isolate Iran and impose more sanctions on it. After drone attack on oil facilities of Saudi Arabia, Trump ministration h blamed Iran for its involvement. “Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to eng in diplomacy. Amid all calls for de-escalation, Iran has w launched an unprecedented attack on world’s energy supply.  re is evidence attacks came from Yemen,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo h tweeted after attack.

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(With inputs from ncies)