Iran should seize British oil tanker in retaliation for UK action, says ex-guard commander

A former leader of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that the Islamic Republic should consider seizing a British oil tanker in response to authorities detaining an Iranian oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar.

UK authorities in Gibraltar intercepted the tanker on Thursday, saying they believed it to be breaching European Union sanctions by carrying a shipment of Iranian crude oil to Syria.

However Spanish authorities said the seizure came at the request of the U.S.

Read also: Sudan military council, opposition reach power-sharing agreement

Mr Rezaei who is a member of a council that advises the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said, in a tweet:

“If Britain does not release the Iranian oil tanker, it is the authorities’ duty to seize a British oil tanker.”

BBC reported that while Britain has been keen to suggest it was an operation led by the Gibraltar government, it appears the intelligence came from the US.

On Friday, a senior Iranian lawmaker said the seizure of tanker was proof the UK lacks honour and takes orders from the US.

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now