US Blinken strongly condemns Iran's seizure of Greek-flagged vessels
US Blinken strongly condemns Iran's seizure of Greek-flagged vessels
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned what he called the 'unjustified seizure' of two Greek-flagged vessels by Iran last week, seen as a tit-for-tat move over the confiscation of Iranian oil by the US from a tanker held off the Greek coast.
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Blinken said Iran's vessel seizure was 'a threat to maritime security and the global economy' [source: Getty]
US Secretary of State on Monday condemned the "unjustified seizure" of two Greek-flagged vessels by Iran's last week, the State Department said.
Iranian forceson Friday, shortly after Tehran warned it would take punitive action against Athens over the confiscation of Iranian oil by the United States from a held off the Greek coast.
"Iran's continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms are a threat to maritime security and the global economy," Blinken said in the statement.
Blinken made the comments in a telephone call with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, the department said.
The US and Greek diplomats called on Iran to immediately release the seized vessels, their cargoes, and their crews. Blinken said the United States stands with its ally "in the face of this unjustified seizure".
Iran's state maritime body said on Saturday the crew of the two Greek tankers had not been detained, and they were in good health on board the vessels.
Greek authorities last month impounded the Iranian-flagged Pegas off Greece due to . The United States later confiscated the Iranian oil cargo held on board, Reuters reported on Thursday.
The Pegas and its Russian crew were later released, but the seizure inflamed tensions as Iran and world powers seek to revive a
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