2019-08-06 12:40:00
U.S., UK CAN CLOSE HORMUZ
PLATTS - The UK has joined the US in a maritime security mission in the Persian Gulf, its defense ministry said Monday, following tanker attacks in the region and the seizure of a UK-flagged tanker by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz last month.
The UK's Royal Navy will work with the US to assure the security of merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Defence said.
"Events in the Gulf over the last four months, including attacks on four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and the illegal seizure of the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero, have seen the threat to commercial shipping rise," the ministry said. "The UK has agreed to join an international mission which will largely draw on assets already in the region to increase interstate maritime cooperation.
"While exact operational details are being determined, the mission is intended to improve coordination between different countries' militaries and commercial shipping," it added.
The Panamanian-flagged tanker Grace 1 was seized in Gibraltar's waters on July 4 on suspicion of carrying a cargo of Iranian crude to Syria's Banias refinery in breach of EU sanctions.
Iran denied that allegation, with senior officials suggesting a British tanker should be seized in response. On July 19, Iranian forces detained the UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Last month, the UK's then foreign minister, Jeremy Hunt, called for a European-led maritime protection mission to support free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but rejected joining the "US maximum pressure policy on Iran."
Later in July the new foreign minister Dominic Raab said the new government still wanted to see a "European-led approach," but added that it would seek US support as well.
"This shouldn't be some sort of geopolitical EU versus US tussle," Raab said.
"It should be what puts us in the best position with the widest group of international actors to uphold the rule of law, and I think it would be important for the European-led initiative to have US support to make it viable and effective," hesaid.
Raab spoke to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo soon after his appointment, he said, adding that both agreed a "broad coalition" was needed to support free navigation in the region.
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Earlier:
2019, July, 31, 13:55:00
U.S., HORMUZ: HIGH PRICE
"I think Iran will look at it as a successful cost imposition to the adversary," "They're making all of the adversaries now rally forces, move them into the theater, put them at risk in the theater and pay for that presence at a very hefty price."
2019, July, 30, 12:15:00
IEA READY TO ACT
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime transit route for world energy trade. About 20 million barrels of oil transit each day through the Strait, or about 20% of global supply. It is also the route for around a quarter of global liquefied natural gas trade.
2019, July, 30, 12:10:00
U.S. WANTS TO CLOSE HORMUZ
"We are committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure," Pompeo said.
2019, July, 5, 11:35:00
U.S., BRITAIN IRAN SANCTIONS
British Royal Marines seized a giant Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that drew Tehran’s fury and could escalate its confrontation with the West.
