US Secretary of State condemns Iran’s ‘unjustified seizure’ of Greek tankers

·

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has condemned the “unjustified seizure” of two Greek-flagged vessels by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard last week, the State Department said.

Blinken made this comment during a telephone call on Monday with Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias.

“Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms are a threat to maritime security and the global economy,” a statement by Blinken reads.

“The Secretary and Foreign Minister agreed that Iran must immediately release the seized vessels, their cargoes, and their crews.”

Iranian forces seized two Greek tankers in the Gulf on Friday, shortly after Tehran warned it would take punitive action against Athens over the confiscation of Iranian oil by the United States from a tanker held off the Greek coast. 

READ MORE: Iran moves two seized Greek tankers to Bandar Abbas amid row in the Gulf.

Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization said on Saturday the crews of the vessels have not been detained, and they were in good health and being cared for on board their vessels.

This comes as Greece’s Shipping Ministry has made a “strong recommendation” to Greek shipping companies to avoid Iranian territorial waters when crossing the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.

Athens has also called for the release of the ships and their crews, denouncing the seizure as an act of piracy.

Source: US State Department.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Ignite the Flame: AHEPA Australia champions Greek language at Blakehurst High

The Hellenic spirit was alive on June 13 as AHEPA Australia hosted an evening celebrating Greek language education at Blakehurst High School.

Tradition and youth celebrated at Laconian Federation of NSW event

The Laconian Federation of NSW brought the spirit of tradition and pride in youth together on Sunday, June 15, with a special event.

Greek and Jewish communities unite in Sydney to honour WWII heroines

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, in collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, held a presentation on Greek WWII heroines.

Hellenic Club of Sydney saddled with $1.6m wedding debt after Adgemis’ pub group collapsed

Hellenic Club of Sydney was left with a $1.6m wedding deposit bill after collapse of its operating partnership with Jon Adgemis’ pub group

Archbishop Makarios of Australia meets with Greece’s Health Minister

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia met with Greece’s Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, in Athens on Thursday, June 12.

You May Also Like

Chef Anna Polyviou shares her favourite artefacts from the ‘Open Horizons’ exhibition

Award-winning chef Anna Polyviou shares her favourite artefacts from the 'Open Horizons' exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.

Tributes flow for famed composer Mikis Theodorakis

Greece is in three days of national mourning for the composer best known for the catchy bouzouki music of 1964 film Zorba the Greek.

An ode to the Greek language by a teacher’s daughter

My mother, the teacher, always reminded me when we left Istanbul, where I was born, to come to Australia, for the sake of our language.