Iran calls on UK to immediately release the supertanker, avoid ‘dangerous’ game

Iran has called on the United Kingdom to immediately release the Iranian supertanker it has illegally seized in Gibraltar, warning London against entering a “dangerous game with no end in sight”.

According to Press TV, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi rejected the claim Friday, saying the tanker was not bound for Syria because no Syrian port could receive a vessel of such capacity.

“The documents and evidence and the contradictory remarks made by the British all indicate that London’s allegation, legally speaking, is not that significant and noteworthy unless they would want to enter into a dangerous game under the influence of the Americans with no end in sight,” Mousavi said.

Speaking in an interview with IRNA, the Iranian spokesman advised the UK against such a scenario “under the current circumstances”.

“We still demand that they release this oil tanker as soon as possible because that’s to the benefit of everyone,” he added.

Shortly after the seizure, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Britain’s ambassador to the country to express its strong protest at the move.

At the Foreign Ministry, Rob Macaire was told that the British Royal Marines’ move was tantamount to “maritime piracy”, and that the UK must immediately release the oil tanker.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also warned the UK about the “consequences” of the move, calling the action “very juvenile, heinous, and wrongful” and “to their [Britain’s] detriment.”

“I remind the Britons,” Rouhani cautioned on Wednesday, “you are the ones initiating insecurity, and will come to realize its consequences in the future.”

SS