Britain Joins US-Led Maritime Security Coalition in the Persian Gulf
Britain announced that it will join a maritime coalition led by the United States in the Persian Gulf. The United States has stated that the purpose of forming this coalition is to ensure the security of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The British Ministry of Defense announced that the country will participate in a maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf led by the United States, which aims to ensure the safety and passage of commercial vessels.
Last month, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a British oil tanker named “Stena Impero” on charges of “violating maritime regulations” in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz and transferred it to Iran.
Britain has rejected this accusation, saying that the vessel did not violate maritime regulations.
The seizure of this tanker came after Britain’s Royal Navy seized an Iranian oil tanker named “Grace 1” in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. This vessel was accused of “violating European Union sanctions and smuggling oil to Syria.”
Iran has rejected this accusation and says that the destination of this oil-carrying vessel was not Syria.
Iran and Britain have accused each other of “piracy” and have called for the swift release of their respective oil tankers.
Dominic Raab, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, said on Monday in London that this measure would lead to “security of maritime transport” in the Persian Gulf region.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary stated the objective of this mission as “protecting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Dominic Raab, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, meanwhile said that Britain remains committed to working with Iran to preserve the nuclear agreement with the country (JCPOA).
According to Reuters news agency, Ben Wallace, Britain’s Defense Secretary, also told reporters in London: “We are eager to work with the United States and others to find an international solution to the problems in the Strait of Hormuz.”
A British security source announced that the focus of the new mission will be on protecting maritime security and that Britain will not join the United States in imposing sanctions against Iran.
Iranian media reported on Sunday, August 4, the seizure of another vessel in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Iran announced that this vessel “was carrying smuggled fuel” and belonged to Iraq. However, Iraq’s Oil Ministry denied this report, saying that the country’s oil exports are conducted within the framework of international regulations and under public oversight, and that the ministry does not conduct “illegal” transactions.
Meanwhile, the United States has accused Iran of attacks on several oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in May and June using explosives. Tehran rejects these accusations.
Source: DW
