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Iran seizes 2 Greek ships to retaliate against the US

The move comes shortly after Tehran warned it would take “punitive action” against Athens because the US seized Iranian oil from an oil tanker off the coast of Greece.

“The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) today detained two Greek oil tankers for violations in the Gulf waters,” the IRGC said in a brief statement, without providing further details.

The Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed that an Iranian navy helicopter landed on the Greek-flagged Delta Poseidon sailing in international waters, about 22 nautical miles from the Iranian coast, and then “captured the sailors.” group of hostages, including two Greek citizens”.

Another Greek-flagged vessel near Iran was also seized. The Greek Foreign Ministry said both actions were in violation of international law and Greece informed its allies and complained to the Iranian ambassador in Athens.

Delta Tankers, which operates the Delta Poseidon, was not immediately available for comment.

Iran captured 2 Greek ships to retaliate against the US - Photo 1.

The oil tanker Pegas is anchored off the coast of Karystos, on the island of Evia – Greece on April 19. Photo: Reuters

Greek authorities last month seized the Iranian-flagged Pegas near the southern coast of Evia island due to European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia. The ship was carrying 19 Russian crew members. The US has seized Iranian oil on the Pegas and intends to send it home by another ship.

The Pegas was later released. However, the arrest has increased tensions between Iran and world powers seeking to revive the nuclear deal abandoned by the US under former President Donald Trump.

According to Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran’s state security agency, after the Greek government seized an Iranian oil tanker and transferred the oil to the Americans, Tehran decided to implement sanctions against Athens.

Pegas was one of five ships designated by the US on February 22 – two days before Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine – to punish Promsvyazbank considered important to Russia’s defense sector. .

Tasnim news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying that 17 other Greek ships in the Persian Gulf could be seized by the IRGC if Greece continues to act like this.

Pham Nghia

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