DThe Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has detained two Greek oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The ships violated maritime rules, the IRGC web portal said on Friday. More details about the two tankers and crew should be announced soon. Greece protested strongly and spoke of piracy action.
Observers suspect an act of retaliation behind the action. Recently, the Russian-flagged tanker “Lana” was arrested in Greek waters with Iranian oil. In protest, the charge d’affaires of the Greek and Swiss embassies were called to the Foreign Ministry on Friday. Switzerland also represents US interests in Tehran.
The Greek Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on Friday. A protest was registered, a spokesman said. “These actions are practically piracy,” the foreign ministry said in a statement in Athens.
Greece demanded the immediate release of the crew. Ships should be allowed to proceed. According to the foreign ministry, these actions will have a “very negative impact” on Greek-Iranian relations.
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According to information from Athens, the crew of an Iranian Navy helicopter had the Greek ship “Delta Poseidon” in international waters about 22 nautical miles (about 35 kilometers) off the coast on Friday. Iran riding. Armed Iranians then arrested the crew. The Greek Foreign Ministry said a second Greek ship was also intercepted and the crew arrested.
Athens has informed all relevant international organizations about the incidents and called on all Greek citizens to avoid traveling to Iran. All Greek ships going to the Persian Gulf region were also informed.
Greek media such as the Kathimerini newspaper reported the incident involving a Russian tanker. Accordingly, on April 14, there was a severe storm in the Aegean. The “Lana” coming from the Turkish Marmaris took refuge in a bay on the Greek island of Euboea, opposite the small port of Caristos. There, the Greek authorities established that the tanker belonged to the Russian Promsvazbank. Since the EU imposed sanctions on the bank, the tanker was stopped. When it became clear that the bank had already sold the tanker to an unrestricted Russian bank in March, it should have moved on. In the meantime, however, it has been determined that the Russian tanker was transporting Iranian oil. Therefore, according to Greek media, American officials reported and demanded that the Greeks provide support and continue to “bring”. Due to US sanctions on Iran, the oil should have been pumped onto another tanker and shipped to the US at US expense.
This is apparently what is happening in the Bay of Caristos. The marine portal MarineTraffic shows that another tanker is lying in the Bay of Caristos next to “Lana” and, according to all indications, is filling with oil from the ship.
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