SHAFAQNA- The crew of a UK-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran last week for violating international maritime laws had talked directly to their families, The owners of the tanker saying in a statement on Thursday.
“Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management continue to hold dialogue with all the governments and authorities directly involved in order to secure the release of crew and vessel,” the statement said on Thursday. “We await a decision from the local authorities on our request to attend the vessel”, Reuters told.
Speaking from Kerala, India, Mr Pappachan said that Dijo (his son) and the others appeared “calm” and safe, but had not been told when they would be permitted to go home.
“They are all doing fine and appear to be being treated well by Iranian authorities. Dijo said several Iranian officials were on the vessel and all crew members were allowed to talk to their family members for a few minutes”, he added, independent reported.
Tensions between Iran and the UK began earlier this month, when British naval forces seized an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar under the pretext that it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions against the Arab country. Iran has denied the claim, press tv told.
On July 19, the IRGC Navy captured British oil tanker Stena Impero for violating international maritime laws when crossing the high-traffic Strait of Hormuz.
Its 23 crew members are of Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino nationality, Stena has said previously.
On Wednesday, Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, suggested that Stena Impero could be released if Britain takes similar steps to hand back an Iranian oil tanker seized by the Royal Navy off Gibraltar earlier this month.
The British Department for Transport announced on Thursday that it would be offering Royal Navy escort for British-flagged ships travelling through the strategic water way.