UK warns British ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz

UK warns British ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz
July 20, 2019, 8:56 am

We remain deeply concerned about Irans unacceptable actions which represent a clear challenge to international freedom of navigation a government spokeswoman said. (File photo AFP)

London Saturday advised British ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz for "an interim period" following Iran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker.

"We remain deeply concerned about Iran's unacceptable actions which represent a clear challenge to international freedom of navigation," a government spokeswoman said following an overnight meeting of the government's COBRA emergencies committee.

"We have advised UK shipping to stay out of the area for an interim period."

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Saturday that he was worried that Iran had taken a “dangerous path” after it seized a British-flagged tanker on Friday.

https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Hunt/status/1152473133766631424

“As I said yesterday our reaction will be considered but robust. We have been trying to find a way to resolve Grace1 issue but WILL ensure the safety of our shipping.”

https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Hunt/status/1152473253660778501

The British navy seized Iran’s Grace 1 tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions.

AFP

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