'We're used to such allegations': Iran denies using seized South Korean ship as hostages

Iran denied that it was using a South Korean ship and its 20 crew members as hostages after it was seized for violating environmental protocols and polluting area. According to South Korean company which owns ship, it was carrying 7,200 tons of chemicals, mostly methanol. Also, company denies that it was polluting waters. 

Iran seizes South Korean vessel

This development comes as Iran is seeking to increase its leverage over Seoul after negotiations of about $7 billion amid a US pressure campaign targeting Iran. According to reports by AP, an Iranian government spokesman, Ali Rabiei said, “If anybody is to be called a hostage-taker, it is South Korean government that has taken our more than $7 billion hostage under a futile pretext”. Tanker Hankuk Chemi was travelling from Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah in United Arab Emirates. It was n when Iranian forces reached location and forced to board ship. 

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South Korea’s presidential office said that it views current incident “very gravely”. y said, “ US State Department joined South Korea in calling for tanker’s immediate release, accusing Iran of threatening “navigational rights and freedoms” in Persian Gulf in order to “extort international community into relieving pressure of sanctions”. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said that it plans to send officials to Iran to talk about early release of ship. ministry said that it was sending its anti-piracy unit to near Strait of Hormuz with about 300 troops. 

(In this photo released Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, a South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on Persian Gulf. Iranian state television acknowledged that Tehran seized oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz. report on Monday alleged MT Hankuk Chemi h been stopped by Iranian authorities over alleged “oil pollution” in Persian Gulf and strait. Image Credits: AP)

company which owns vessel has been unable to connect with captain since seizure. As per reports by AP, US Navy's Mideast routinely patrols area along with an American-led coalition, which monitors   Strait of Hormuz. Also, a European-led effort also operates in same area.

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vessel seizure comes after an announcement by Iran that it would start enriching uranium to 20%, which is in violation of nuclear deal. move, which Iran h notified UN nuclear watchdog about last week, was one of many mentioned in a law passed by Iran’s parliament last month in response to killing of country’s top nuclear scientist. Although purity level needed to produce nuclear weapons is 90%, way above Iran's announcement of enriching uranium to up to 20% purity, decision has caused a stir among or signatories of deal. 

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(Image Credits: AP)