TANKER SEIZURE UNACCEPTABLE AND NEEDS INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Patricia Gibson MP has condemned the seizure of a British-flagged tanker the Stena Impero on Friday by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Straight of Hormuz as “unacceptable” and called for “an international response.”

The tanker was seized in a tit-for-tat for the UK’s decision to impound an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar earlier this month after it was believed to be shipping oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

Commenting, Patricia said:

“Iran’s actions in seizing the Stena Impero are completely unacceptable. This along with actions such as the jailing of UK Citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe show just how far Iran’s regime is from the norms acceptable to the international community.

“These latest developments are of great concern and the UK must work with the international community to find a resolution through diplomatic channels. The Islamic Republic of Iran risks becoming an international pariah if it continues with such acts of piracy.

“Now is a time for de-escalation, cool heads and an international response to Iran’s latest provocation.”

ENDS