Two Greek oil tankers have been seized in the Persian Gulf allegedly for committing “violations,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced.
Greek oil tankers Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon have been moved to Iranian waters a few miles off the Persian Gulf coast, according to reports.
The news came shortly after a news agency close to Iran’s top security agency said “punitive action” will be taken against Greece for seizing an Iranian oil tanker on Friday.
The tanker had been seized by the Greek government and its oil cargo was transferred to the Americans “in violation of international shipping and maritime protocols,” a source affiliated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said.
Accusing the Greek government of succumbing to US pressure, the development has led to heightened tensions between Tehran and Athens, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry demanding the release of the ship and oil.
In order to protest the seizure of the oil tanker in Greek territorial waters, the ministry summoned the Swiss chargé d’affaires earlier on Friday.
The ministry indicated that it conveyed its protest over the “continued violation of international laws and maritime conventions regarding free navigation and trade by the US administration.”
Iran has often accused the US government of seizing its oil tankers in international waters. Both countries’ navies have also had close confrontations in the Persian Gulf close to Iran’s territorial waters.
