UK likely to release seized Iranian tanker soon: Iran

An Iranian official claimed that London has shown willingness to resolve the diplomatic dispute that has broken out between the two sides over the seizure of oil tanker, adding that certain documents have been exchanged, which would help to settle the issue.

Tehran: In a sign of de-escalating the existing tension between Britain and Iran, London is likely to soon release an Iran-owned oil tanker that it seized last month off the coast of Gibraltar after the two sides exchanged certain documents.

During a press conference, Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization's deputy head, Jalil Eslami said that Tehran had been making efforts towards securing the release of oil tanker Grace 1, which was seized with a cargo of 2.1 million barrels of oil by UK marines in the Strait of Gibraltar in July.

The official said that London has shown willingness to resolve the diplomatic dispute that broke out between the two sides over the case, adding that certain documents were exchanged, which would help to settle the issue.

"We hope that the problem will be resolved in the near future and that the ship can continue sailing with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Eslami added.

Earlier, Britain claimed that the Iranian-owned oil tanker was seized on suspicion of violating the European Union's unilateral bans against Syria.

Tehran had rejected London's claim that the tanker was heading to Syria, slamming the seizure as "maritime piracy".

Eslami also defended Tehran's confiscation on July 19 of the 30,000-tonne UK-flagged Stena Impero tanker, which was violating international maritime rules while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel was allegedly involved in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat and had ignored its distress call, changing its route.

The tanker also switched off its tracking system and used the exit lane to enter the strategic strait.