Iran to set free seven crew members from captured British tanker Stena Impero
Iran will free seven crew members from the captured British tanker the Stena Impero, according to Iranian state television.
A spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry told TV the state had set them free on humanitarian grounds, and that they could leave the country soon.
Read more: Britain will join US to protect ships from Iranian attack
The Stena Impero was detained by Tehran on July 19. It came after Royal Marines helped detain an Iranian tanker near British overseas territory Gibraltar in July, after Gibraltar’s government said the tanker was taking oil to Syria, which would breach EU sanctions.
The move infuriated Iran, however, and the country accused the UK of piracy, threatening to seize a British tanker in retaliation.
Iran eventually made good on that threat later in July, when it surrounded the Stena Impero with four Iranian vessels and a helicopter.
Almost one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies off Iran’s south coast.
Any disruption to international shipping in the 120-mile stretch would have economic repercussions around the world, such as a sharp increase in oil prices.
Read more: Iranian seizure of tanker ‘constitutes illegal interference’
Bob Sanguinetti, the UK Chamber of Shipping chief executive, said: “We welcome the news that Iran has said it will free seven members of the Stena Impero crew, but this must be followed by the immediate release of the vessel and the rest of the crew.
“The ship was in international waters when it was detained and was in full compliance with all navigation and international regulations. The Chamber will continue to work with the UK government to ensure the free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”