Great Britain is aiming for a European-led naval mission in the Persian Gulf. This is to guarantee the safety of shipping in the region where Iran has seized a British tanker last week. The Netherlands have also been asked to participate.
British Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremy Hunt informed Parliament about the plan after a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee. 'We want to set up this mission as soon as possible,' said the Minister. He accused Iran of 'state piracy'.
Netherlands Asked to Take Part
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that the Netherlands has also been approached to take part in the mission. Earlier, the Americans also asked the Netherlands for a contribution to promote safe passage for ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The government is still deliberating their decision.
Stena Impero
Iranian troops seized the tanker Stena Impero on Friday, after the Iranian tanker Grace 1 had previously been detained at the British territory of Gibraltar. That vessel would have been on its way to Syria with crude oil, thereby violating European sanctions.
Not Part of American Policy
Hunt stressed that the new maritime mission will not be part of the American policy of exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran. Washington withdrew from the agreement on the Tehran nuclear programme and again imposed heavy sanctions.
'We remain committed to the nuclear agreement with Iran,' said the Minister, who stressed that his government does not want to increase the tension any further. 'If Iran continues on this dangerous path, they must accept that the price is that there will be a greater Western military presence in the waters off their coast.'
Iran 'Not Looking for a Confrontation'
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif said during a visit to Nicaragua that the British tanker was stopped because the ship did not abide by the rules. Zarif also said that his country is not looking for a confrontation, but wants normal relations based on mutual respect.
Source: ANP.
Picture: The British tanker Stena Impero was seized in the Strait of Hormuz (from Google maps).
