The UK discussed with European allies to deploy a new mission in Strait of Hormuz to respond to Iran’s seizing the British oil tanker Stena Impero.

Photo: DW

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt shared that British government called its European allies to form a naval force in Strait of Hormuz on July 22 to protect the freedom of navigation, following several attack of tanker which was considered that Iran got involved.

Jeremy Hunt said “Under international law, Iran had no right to obstruct the ship's passage - let alone board her. It was, therefore, an act of state piracy" and “We will now seek to put together a European-led maritime protection mission to support safe passage of both crew and cargo in this vital region"

He also affirmed that “We do not seek confrontation. We have taken every available opportunity to deescalate the situation. Freedom of navigation is a principle that Britain and its allies will always defend."

The action of UK was as a new move to react to the capture of Stena Impero oil tanker, conducted by Iran because of breaking international maritime rules which the UK described the hostile act after the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 had been seized by the UK in Gibraltar as Iran violated the EU sanctions, although Iranian authority said that all crew members of this tanker was safe and waiting for the further investigation. Iran also warned UK over the escalating tension between two countries.

After Iran had given its confirmation, UK urged Iran to release the Stena Impero tanker’s crew.

DW, Aljazeera ( Van Nguyen )