US Calls for Immediate Release of Oil Tanker Seized by Iran
The US State Department described Iran’s seizure of a South Korean oil tanker by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as an attempt at “international extortion.” South Korea’s foreign minister said Seoul is pursuing diplomatic channels to secure the tanker’s release.
The US State Department has called on Iran to immediately release the seized South Korean oil tanker. According to Reuters, an unnamed US State Department spokesperson said: “The [Iranian] regime continues to threaten maritime navigation rights and freedoms in the Persian Gulf as part of an apparent effort to extort the international community in order to reduce sanctions pressure.”
The State Department official emphasized that the United States stands “in solidarity” with South Korea in demanding the immediate release of the tanker.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Yonhapnews agency reported that the country’s foreign minister said Seoul is pursuing diplomatic channels to secure the release of the seized tanker. However, South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday, December 15 (January 4), that it would dispatch anti-piracy units to the area.
On Monday, Revolutionary Guard forces seized the South Korean oil tanker “due to repeated violations of environmental laws” in the Persian Gulf waters. The tanker, which carries 7,200 tons of ethanol, is currently being held in the port of Bandar Abbas.
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official told Reuters that following the seizure of the tanker, the ministry is now hesitant about dispatching a senior South Korean diplomat to Tehran to negotiate regarding Iran’s blocked funds. Previously, Choi Jung-kan, South Korea’s deputy foreign minister, was scheduled to travel to Tehran on Sunday (January 10) for negotiations.
According to a South Korean Foreign Ministry official cited by Reuters, “the schedule of this visit is currently uncertain.”
In recent months, political tensions between Tehran and Seoul over South Korea’s oil debt to Iran have escalated. Following US sanctions, South Korea has frozen the payment for oil it purchased from Iran in two banks. Iran has repeatedly criticized South Korea in sharp terms over the failure to pay this debt, which is reported to be worth approximately seven billion dollars. South Korea previously summoned Iran’s ambassador in Seoul in response to statements by Iranian officials.
