Economics
U.K. Steps Up Pressure on Iran to Release Seized Oil Tanker
- Government summons a senior Iranian diplomat over seizure
- Iran move seen as response to U.K. holding ship in Gibraltar
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The U.K. government is stepping up pressure on Iran to release a British oil tanker seized in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that sent tension soaring in one of the world’s critical energy chokepoints.
The U.K. has demanded the immediate release of the Stena Impero and on Saturday summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires, Mohsen Omidzamani, in London. The government threatened Iran with “serious consequences” and advised U.K. ships to avoid the area. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a Tweet Saturday that British shipping will be protected.