Seizure of an Iranian tanker: a frigate of the Royal Navy escort British ships

The British government announced that it would provide a Royal Navy escort to British flag ships that were pbading through the Strait of Hormuz, against a backdrop of increasing diplomatic tensions in the Gulf.

Shipowners are advised to specify their route in order to be escorted by the HMS Montrose frigate.

This operation follows the seizure of Stena Impero tanker, under British flag, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Friday.

The owner of the vessel stated that the crew was safe and cooperated with the officials.

The decision to provide a military escort to the Merchant Navy follows a meeting of the Cobra Emergency Committee Downing Street to discuss the situation in the Gulf.

HMS Montrose is currently deployed in the area to rebadure British ships. Earlier this month, he was forced to move between three Iranian boats trying to block an oil tanker.

Iran denied that the incident occurred and said that there had been no confrontation with foreign vessels.

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The incident followed the UK's decision to seize an Iranian oil tanker, Grace 1, which, according to London, was carrying oil to Syria, in violation of EU sanctions. Iran has denied this claim.

In April, the United States tightened its own sanctions against Iran, which they had re-imposed after Tehran's withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal. .

The British government remained committed to this agreement, which curbs Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.