Iran denies report it tried to grab British oil tanker

By bne IntelliNews July 11, 2019

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) denied a report that they had stopped a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reported citing Fars News Agency on July 11.

According to a previous report by CNN, the IRGC navy unit ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was in the Strait of Hormuz, to change its direction towards Iranian waters. The Iranian boats departed after British warship HMS Montrose warned them off, all the while being videoed by the US in the distance.

Following the report by the US, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the UK’s claim that Iran tried to stop its ship was “worthless”, confirming the statement that the IRGC made on its social media channel earlier.

“Apparently the British tanker has passed. What they have said themselves and the claims that have been made are for creating tension and these claims have no value,” Zarif said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani previously warned Britain of “consequences” on July 10, over the detention of the Iranian super-tanker Grace I by Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar.

On July 8, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said: “The action runs counter to international regulations and is a kind of maritime piracy,” while in Bandar Abbas.

Related Articles

Central Bank of Iran provides over $25.8bn for imports since start of Persian year

Iran's Central Bank has provided more than $25.868bn in foreign currency for importing essential goods, medicine, industrial products and services from the beginning of the current Persian calendar ... more

Iran’s Bank Mellat records 45% to 59% growth in revenue and deposits

Bank Mellat achieved record growth of 42% to 59% in key performance indicators during the first five months of 2025, setting new records in Iran's banking system, Banker reported on September 7. ... ... more

US sanctions Indian petchem traders over Iran deals

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned six Indian companies for their involvement in trading petrochemicals produced in Iran, according to a report released by ... more

Dismiss