Iran

[angelburst29]

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatened on Friday to seize a British ship in retaliation for the capture of an Iranian supertanker in Gibraltar by Royal Marines.

Iran threatens British shipping in retaliation for tanker seizure

A British Royal Navy patrol vessel guards the oil supertanker Grace 1, that's on suspicion of carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, as it sits anchored in waters of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain, July 4, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

“If Britain does not release the Iranian oil tanker, it is the authorities duty to seize a British oil tanker,” Mohsen Rezai said on Twitter.

The Gibraltar government said the crew on board the supertanker Grace 1 were being interviewed as witnesses, not criminal suspects, in an effort to establish the nature of the cargo and its ultimate destination.

British Royal Marines abseiled onto the ship off the coast of the British territory on Thursday and seized it. They landed a helicopter on the moving vessel in pitch darkness.

The move escalates a confrontation between Iran and the West just weeks after the United States called off air strikes minutes before impact, and draws Washington’s close ally into a crisis in which European powers had striven to appear neutral.

Tehran summoned the British ambassador on Thursday to voice “its very strong objection to the illegal and unacceptable seizure" of its ship, a move that also eliminated doubt about the ownership of the vessel.


Britain seizes Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar over Syria sanctions
Britain seizes Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar over Syria sanctions

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A view of the Grace 1 super tanker near a Royal Marine patrol vessel in the British territory of Gibraltar, Thursday, July 4, 2019. (AP)

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Grace 1 super tanker is anchored near a Royal Marine patrol vessel in the British territory of Gibraltar, Thursday, July 4, 2019. (AP)

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People walk on a seaside promenade as supertanker Grace 1 (rear C) suspected of carrying crude oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions appears in the background after it was detained off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4, 2019. (AFP / JORGE GUERRERO)

 

[Ca.]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1147207596455211009

Opinion:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1147165108398895104

https://twitter.com/x/status/1147066861726654465

 

[angelburst29]

Tanker detained by Gibraltar on U.S. request to Britain, Spain says
Gibraltar detained the supertanker Grace 1 after a request by the United States to Britain, acting Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said on Thursday.

The US had the British do their dirty-work this time - to cover - for the US pulling the same scenario on seizing Venezuela's oil tankers.

Gibraltar obtains order extending detention of Iranian tanker by 14 days
Gibraltar said on Friday it had obtained an order extending the detention of the Iranian Grace I supertanker by 14 days because there were grounds to believe it was breaking sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Panama says it cut Iran oil tanker from boat registry after terrorism alert
Panama's Maritime Authority said on Thursday that Grace 1, a giant Iranian oil tanker seized by British Royal Marines in Gibraltar, was no longer listed in Panama's international boat registry as of May 29.

 

[angelburst29]

An oil tanker run by the British energy giant, BP Plc, is being kept inside the Persian Gulf in fear it could be seized by Iran after the UK government captured an Iranian oil tanker in international waters, a report said.

British Oil Tanker Makes U-Turn, Shelters in Saudi Arabia: Report - Economy news - Tasnim News Agency

July 9, 2019 - The British Heritage, able to haul about 1 million barrels of oil, was sailing toward Iraq’s Basrah terminal in the south of country when it made an abrupt U-turn on July 6, Bloomberg reported.

It is now off Saudi Arabia’s coast and a person with knowledge of the matter says BP’s concern is that it could become a target after British Royal Marines seized Iran’s Grace 1 on July 4.

The report added that British Heritage won't be able to exit the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint through which about a third of global seaborne oil moves, without sailing close to Iran's coast, thereby placing it at greater risk.

Comment ... and who created this little problem "in the first place"? (Ahh jeez - Did I do that? Oh, too funny!)

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri on Tuesday denounced the UK for seizing the Iranian oil tanker on bogus charges.

The British navy has captured the supertanker in retaliation for the “direct, transparent and courageous” move by the Iranian Armed Forces to shoot down an intruding US spy drone in the Iranian airspace in June, he added.

“This measure (seizure of the oil tanker) will not go unanswered, and if necessary, the response to such a shameful move will be put on the agenda, at an appropriate time and place,” the general underlined.

U.S. wants military coalition to safeguard waters off Iran, Yemen

The United States hopes to enlist allies over the next two weeks or so in a military coalition to safeguard strategic waters off Iran and Yemen, where Washington blames Iran and Iran-aligned fighters for attacks, the top U.S. general said on Tuesday.

Trump Deluded by B-Team to Scrap JCPOA for A Better Deal: Zarif
Trump Deluded by B-Team to Scrap JCPOA for A Better Deal: Zarif - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency


July 9, 2019 - TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said US President Donald Trump thought he could get a better deal by withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) but it is becoming more and more clear that there will be no such thing as another deal.

“#B_Team sold @realDonaldTrump on the folly that killing #JCPOA thru #EconomicTerrorism can get him a better deal,” Zarif said on his Twitter account on Monday.

The B-Team in Zarif’s comments refers to a group of four anti-Iran hawks, namely US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, and crown prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing Iranian threats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran on Tuesday that it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing what he described as Iranian threats to destroy Israel.

UK Seizure of Iranian Tanker sets dangerous precedent: Zarif
UK Seizure of Iranian Tanker Sets Dangerous Precedent: Zarif - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned a recent move by the British government to capture an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar, saying, “It sets a dangerous precedent and must end now.”

Iran is neither a member of the EU nor subject to any European oil embargo,” Zarif said on his Twitter account on Monday.

“Last I checked, EU was against extraterritoriality. UK's unlawful seizure of a tanker with Iranian oil on behalf of #B_Team is piracy, pure and simple,” he wrote, adding, “It sets a dangerous precedent and must end now.”

The British Royal Marines seized the giant Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria allegedly in violation of EU sanctions.

Iran's Foreign Ministry maintains that the oil tanker was not bound for Syria and its seizure has taken place at the behest of the US.

British capture of Iranian tanker won't go 'unanswered': officer

Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar last week will not be "unanswered", Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, said on Tuesday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The world knows Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapon: Guards chief

The world knows that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, said on Monday, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Russia says to keep trying to Save JCPOA
Russia Says to Keep Trying to Save JCPOA - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency

July 8, 2019 - Russia is concerned over plans by Iran to increase the level of its uranium enrichment, and will pursue diplomatic efforts to save the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

“The situation is of course concerning,” Peskov told journalists, according to the Tass news agency.

“Russia aims to continue dialogue and efforts on the diplomatic front. We are still supporters of the JCPOA,” he added.

“I would like to remind you that it is the Russian side and President Putin warned about the negative consequences which would inevitably arise after one of the parties to the JCPOA decided to cease fulfilling its obligations and quit the deal."

Seized Iran supertanker was loaded to capacity with crude oil: Gibraltar government

Tests have shown an Iranian supertanker seized in Gibraltar last week was fully loaded with crude oil, the government of the British territory said on Monday.

Iran's Zarif calls on UK to immediately release captured oil tanker
The capture of an Iranian oil tanker by Britain has set "a dangerous precedent and must end now", Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter on Monday.

America did not allow Iranians to benefit from nuclear deal: Jahangiri

The United States did not allow Iranian people to benefit from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Monday, according to the IRIB news agency.

Israeli minister says Iran's enrichment ramp moderate but a 'march' towards bomb

Israel's energy minister described as moderate on Sunday an announced increase of Iranian uranium enrichment but accused Tehran of breaking out of internationally agreed limitations on its nuclear projects and moving towards a potential bomb.

Pence: U.S. ready to protect its interests as Iran makes nuclear threats

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday that the United States is prepared to protect U.S. personnel and citizens in the Middle East as tensions build with Iran over its nuclear program.

U.S. to keep raising pressure until Iran abandons nuclear arms program: Bolton

The United States will keep increasing pressure on Iran until it abandons its pursuit of nuclear weapons and ceases its violent activities in the Middle East, John Bolton, the White House national security adviser, said on Monday.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

'Bibi's stupidity can reach everywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and Syria.'

Netanyahu threatens Iran with Israeli planes that can ‘reach everywhere’ in the Middle East

As tension mounts over Iran’s nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Tehran that Israeli warplanes can strike anywhere in the Middle East, “including Iran and Syria.”

www.rt.com

9 Jul, 2019

'When smile comes from empty head' / © Global Look Press/Alex Edelman/CNP/AdMedia; © REUTERS/Pool/Oded Balilty

 

[sToRmR1dR]

REVEALED: U.S begged Iran for ‘limited air strike’ to save face after drone downing - Fort Russ

TEHRAN, (MNA) – July 10, 2019 – The United States conveyed a message to Iran saying it wanted to conduct a limited strike against the country after its drone, which violated the airspace, was shot down in the Persian Gulf, a senior Iranian commander said. “After the downing of its intruding...

www.fort-russ.com

By Joaquin Flores - On Jul 10, 2019

 

[Cosmos]

REVEALED: U.S begged Iran for ‘limited air strike’ to save face after drone downing - Fort Russ

TEHRAN, (MNA) – July 10, 2019 – The United States conveyed a message to Iran saying it wanted to conduct a limited strike against the country after its drone, which violated the airspace, was shot down in the Persian Gulf, a senior Iranian commander said. “After the downing of its intruding...

www.fort-russ.com

By Joaquin Flores - On Jul 10, 2019

That's interesting if true and definitively sounds like something Trump would ask the Iranians in order to reduce the pressure from the warmongers. Trump did in reality something pretty similar in Syria a few years ago targeting an area that didn't do much damage both economic wise and death toll wise.

 

[angelburst29]

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.

Tehran fumes as Britain seizes Iranian oil tanker over Syria sanctions

I'm wondering, if the UK's stunt in seizing this Iranian oil tanker is part of a plan for the US, the UK and the Saudi's to take control over the Strait of Hormuz? The Iranian oil tanker was taken to Gibraltar and it's Captain has since been arrested. In the meantime, a British-flagged merchant vessel docked in a Saudi Port - claiming three Iranian vessels tried to block the vessel from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. One report claimed - it was "five" Iranian vessels prohibiting passage. I don't want to spoil Bolton's "Moment of Glory" but chances are - it's neither "three or five" and the whole claim is bogus. The Saudi's have also stepped in and are now patrolling the Red Sea ports in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait near Yemen.

Iran's Zarif calls on UK to immediately release captured oil tanker

The capture of an Iranian oil tanker by Britain has set "a dangerous precedent and must end now", Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.

Gibraltar police arrest captain of detained Iranian tanker
Gibraltar police said they have arrested the captain and chief officer of the detained Iranian Grace 1 supertanker accused of violating EU sanctions on Syria and have seized documents and electronic devices from the vessel.

Britain says it fended off Iranian attempt to block oil tanker

Three Iranian vessels tried to block a British-owned tanker passing through the strait that controls the flow of Middle East oil to the world, but backed off when confronted by a Royal Navy warship, Britain said on Thursday.

Threats to navigation need international solution: U.S. Central Command
Threats to international freedom of navigation require an international solution, U.S. Central Command said on Thursday, after three Iranian vessels tried to block a British-flagged tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

UK will not escort all its ships near Iran, does not want to escalate tensions -source
Britain does not intend to escort every British-flagged merchant vessel through the Strait of Hormuz, a security source said on Thursday, after a Royal Navy warship had to stop three Iranian vessels from blocking the passage of a BP-operated tanker.

Iranian boats 'harass' British tanker in the Gulf: U.S. officials

Five boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards approached a British oil tanker in the Gulf on Wednesday and asked it to stop in Iranian waters close by, but withdrew after a British warship warned them, U.S. officials said.

UK recommends all British-flagged ships adopt a heightened security state in the Strait of Hormuz: Sky
Britain has recommended all British-flagged ships go to a heightened state of security in the Strait of Hormuz, Sky News reported on Thursday, citing unnamed maritime industry sources.

British claim about Iran trying to stop oil tanker is worthless: Iran foreign minister

Britain's claim that Iran tried to stop one of their oil tankers in the Gulf on Wednesday is worthless, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

U.S. Navy says working with partners to defend free flow of commerce and navigation
The US Navy's Fifth Fleet said on Thursday it is working closely with the British Royal Navy, as well as, regional and global partners to preserve and defend the freedom of navigation, a day after three Iranian vessels tried to block a British-flagged tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain says three Iranian boats tried to block its ship in Gulf
Three Iranian vessels attempted to block the passage of a ship, the British Heritage, through the Strait of Hormuz, but withdrew after warnings from a British warship, the British government said on Thursday.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards deny trying to stop British tanker in Gulf-Fars news
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards rejected on Thursday a US claim that they tried to stop a British tanker in the Gulf a day earlier, the Guards said in a statement carried by the semi-official Fars news agency.

We want to uphold nuclear deal if all sides do, Iran's IAEA ambassador tells paper

Iran intends to preserve the nuclear deal with major powers if all parties fulfill their obligations under it, its ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear body told a German newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia moves to secure Yemen Red Sea ports after UAE drawdown

Saudi Arabia's military in Yemen has moved in to secure two strategic Red Sea ports and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after its leading ally the United Arab Emirates substantially reduced its presence there, four sources familiar with the matter said.

Exclusive: U.S. will not blacklist Iran's foreign minister, for now
The United States has decided not to impose sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for now, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, in a sign Washington may be holding a door open for diplomacy.

 

[angelburst29]

Amazing - the calisthenics and verbal contortions used by the British Government to deflect any blame in seizing an Iranian oil tanker. By
"Her Majesty's government of Gibraltar" (Historically claimed by Spain), the Honorary "British territory's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo" declares - Gibraltar's "decisions were taken totally independently". Well, I guess that settles that! (Nothing like - dragging a third party into a conflict - based on common association, alone.)

Strictly my opinion - Spain would do well - kicking the British out? Picardo looks the type - he chews steel nails for breakfast!

Focusing back on this Iranian situation, Iran has again, requested that it's oil vessel be released. The British are claiming "it doesn't want to increase tensions with Iran" - so for good measure - the British are sending out another destroyer, the HMS Duncan warship to the Gulf.

Gibraltar says it took decision to detain Iranian tanker

FILE PHOTO: Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo delivers a statement at parliament in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain, November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Jon Nazca/File Photo

The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria.

"The decisions of Her Majesty's government of Gibraltar were taken totally independently, based on breaches of existing law and not at all based on extraneous political considerations,” Fabian Picardo told Gibraltar’s parliament.

“These important decisions about breaches of our laws were not decisions taken at the political behest or instruction of any other state or third party.”

Gibraltar took the decision to seize an Iranian tanker last week solely because the ship was in breach of European Union sanctions and not on the request of any other country, the British territory's chief minister said on Friday.

Iran calls on Britain to release seized oil tanker immediately

Iran called on Britain on Friday to immediately release an oil tanker that British Royal Marines seized last week on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria, a foreign ministry spokesman told state news agency IRNA.

Iran cleric says U.K. will be 'slapped in the face' for seizure of its tanker: TV

Britain will soon be "slapped in the face" for the capture of an Iranian supertanker last week, Iranian state TV quoted a cleric as saying on Friday, amid heightened tension between Iran and the West in the Gulf.

UK says it does not want to increase tension with Iran
Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain sends second warship to gulf amid tensions with Iran: Sky

Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf amid growing tensions with Iran after Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Sky News reported.

Britain replaces warship in Gulf, to maintain continuous presence

Britain said on Friday it would deploy the destroyer HMS Duncan warship to the Gulf to replace HMS Montrose, maintaining a continuous presence there during a time of heightened tension in the region.

Bahrain 'strongly condemns' what it calls Iranian attempt to intercept British tanker
Bahrain said on Friday it "strongly condemned" what it called an Iranian attempt to intercept a British tanker in the Gulf, according to a statement from its foreign ministry.

 

[angelburst29]

Gibraltar police release all crew members of detained Iranian tanker

FILE PHOTO: A British Royal Navy patrol vessel guards the oil supertanker Grace 1, that's on suspicion of carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, as it sits anchored in waters of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain, July 4, 2019. Jon Nazca/File Photo

July 12, 2019 - Gibraltar police said on Friday that all four crew members of the Iranian Grace 1 tanker have been released on bail without charge after it was detained last week on suspicion of breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Gibraltar police said earlier on Friday that they had arrested the two second mates from the tanker, a day after the vessel’s captain and chief officer were arrested.

In a statement, the police said all four crew members were granted bail with conditions. It did not elaborate, but said the investigation was ongoing and that the Grace 1 continues to be detained.

Hezbollah leader says U.S. seeking to talk
The leader of Hezbollah said on Friday that Washington was seeking to open channels of communication despite ramping up sanctions against the Iran-backed movement's officials.

 

[Ursus Minor]

Was The Tanker's Destination Actually Syria?

In an interview with Iranian Press TV, Gordon Duff, editor of veteranstoday.com
called the seizure of the tanker an "act of piracy which happened at the behest of the US and Israel."

He said that the "GRACE 1" could not have been destined for Baniyas (Syria) because the depth of the Mediterranean in that area makes the accomodation of the large crude carrier physically impossible.

The only deep sea port of the Eastern Mediterranean (including Israel) was Ceyhan (Turkey), Duff said.

"Stopping ships on the high seas is piracy not blockade."

Gordon Duff puts the blame on Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt "who are tripping over each other to push themselves into a conflict with Iran."

He further mentioned that it is "Israeli billionaires that underwrite the Conservative party".

"There is a trend pushing toward chaos, a basic policy of instability - but the US is incapable of attacking Iran."

➡ Gordon Duff on PressTV

 

[angelburst29]

Gordon Duff puts the blame on Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt "who are tripping over each other to push themselves into a conflict with Iran."

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told his Iranian counterpart on Saturday that Britain would facilitate the release of the detained Grace 1 oil tanker "if" Tehran gave guarantees it would not go to Syria.

Comment: In his shrewdness, it seems like Jeremy Hunt is trying to play a game called "entrapment"? Hunt is directing Iran to compromise itself and it's position. To give any type of concession - Iran would inadvertently be giving the impression - that the Grace 1 oil tanker "was heading for Syria". Hunt needs some form of grounds, to back-up the UK's fabricated lie and to cover their illegal seizure. Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif denied the report from the beginning. Yet, the UK "through their proxy in Gibraltar" arrested the four sailors on Grace 1, then released them "on conditions"? The way I see it, Iran doesn't have to prove, anything - the burden lies with the UK, for they still have the tanker impounded!

UK to facilitate release of Iranian tanker if it gets Syria guarantees: Hunt

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told his Iranian counterpart on Saturday that Britain would facilitate the release of the detained Grace 1 oil tanker if Tehran gave guarantees it would not go to Syria.

Iranian foreign minister heads to New York for U.N. conference: IRNA

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to New York on Saturday to a United Nations conference, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported, amid rising tension between Washington and Tehran.

 

[angelburst29]

Rouhani says Iran ready to talk to U.S. if sanctions lifted

Iran is ready to hold talks with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal it quit last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Sunday.

U.S. grants visa to Iran's Zarif for U.N. meeting this week: sources
The United States has granted a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to attend a U.N. meeting in New York this week, two sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday, saying Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had approved the decision.

South Korea considers joining coalition to patrol waters off Iran

South Korean naval vessels sail across the Yeosu Sea in this file photo. (Shutterstock)

SEOUL: The South Korean government is in discussions with the US over plans to join a multinational naval coalition to protect shipping in the Arabian Gulf in the face of alleged Iranian threats, Foreign Ministry officials revealed on Thursday.

The move came after Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated the US was holding talks with several nations to send ships to safeguard waters surrounding Iran and Yemen.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AFP)

“The (South Korean) government is concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East region,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim In-chul said in a briefing. “Our position is that freedom of navigation and commerce should not be put into jeopardy.”

The spokesman said his ministry has yet to receive any formal request on the coalition matter. “We’ll keep discussing the issue with the US side,” Kim said. “No details have been discussed yet about when, how and what we would do.”

Washington is seeking to enlist its allies for a multinational coalition to operate in waters off Iran and Yemen to secure commercial shipping and prevent attacks that could harm the world’s oil supply.

 

[angelburst29]

U.N. concerned by U.S. curbs on Iranian foreign minister while in New York

The United Nations told the United States it is concerned by tight travel restrictions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his visit to New York this week, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said on Monday.

Zarif arrived in New York on Sunday after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the visit amid heightened tensions between the two countries. But Zarif is only allowed to travel between the United Nations, the Iranian U.N. Mission, the Iranian U.N. Ambassador's residence and New York's John F. Kennedy airport, a US State Department official said.

Haq told reporters that the U.N. secretariat is “in close contact with the permanent missions of the United States and Iran to the U.N. and has conveyed its concerns to the host country.”

U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, said no U.S. government officials would meet with Zarif.

“There is no back channel currently going on between the United States and anybody in the Iranian regime. Everything that’s being said is being said by the president and the secretary of state publicly,” Hook told Fox News Channel.

The United States had restricted Zarif’s travel “in a manner that is fully consistent” with its obligations under a 1947 agreement with the United Nations, the U.S. State Department official said.

Despite the travel restrictions, Zarif did interviews on Monday with Britain’s BBC and U.S. network NBC at the residence of the Iranian U.N. ambassador on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Comment: In the real World - Zarif would be extended the courtesy of a personal visit - to meet with the President at the White House. When is Trump going to deal with Pompeo and Bolton - head on?

 

[angelburst29]

Gibraltar police release all crew members of detained Iranian tanker

UK PM May pays tribute to Gibraltar's efforts in detaining Grace 1 tanker

British Prime Minister Theresa May thanked Gibraltar's Chief Minister for upholding European Union sanctions against Syria by detaining an oil tanker, her office said on Wednesday, adding its independent legal process should be respected.

UK PM May to discuss Grace 1 oil tanker with Gibraltar chief minister
British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo later on Wednesday to discuss the detained Iranian oil tanker Grace 1, a spokesman for May said.

Britain plans additional warship presence in Gulf

Britain will send a third warship to the Persian Gulf, though the move is not related to the current Iran crisis, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Tuesday.

Britain says deployment of warship to Gulf is to protect its interests
Britain is sending its HMS Kent warship to the Gulf to protect its interests and ensure freedom of navigation after tensions with Iran, the Ministry of Defense (Mo) said on Wednesday, after earlier saying that the mission was routine.

Iran says it came to help of disabled foreign oil tanker in the Gulf
Iranian navy vessels came to the assistance of a disabled foreign oil tanker in the Gulf that needed repairs, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the semi-official news agency ISNA.

U.S. unsure about circumstances of tanker towed to Iran

U.S. officials say they are unsure whether an oil tanker towed into Iranian waters was seized by Iran or rescued after facing mechanical faults as Tehran asserts, creating a mystery at sea at a time of high tension in the Gulf.

U.S. officials to brief diplomats on maritime security initiative for Gulf

U.S. officials will speak to members of the Washington diplomatic corps on Friday about a new initiative to promote freedom of navigation and maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz, the State Department said on Wednesday.

Israel says EU's response on Iran recalls Nazi appeasement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a European Union response on Monday to Iran's breaches of nuclear limitations, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany ahead of World War Two.

PressTV-Mossad-linked group seeks seizure of Iran oil tanker

Britain's Royal Marine patrol vessel is seen beside the Grace 1 supertanker in waters off Gibraltar.

Wed Jul 17, 2019 - An Israeli group with links to the regime’s secret service Mossad is seeking to seize an Iranian oil tanker and its cargo held by British troops off Gibraltar.

The supertanker tanker Grace I, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was seized on July 4 by a detachment of British Royal Marines, in what has been denounced as “piracy” by Iran.

Shurat Hadin, which wages “legal battles” on behalf of Israelis claiming victim to Palestinian attacks, is asking the supreme court of Gibraltar to grant an injunction to seize the vessel and its cargo, the UK’s Daily Express reported.

The group claims to be a “civil rights” organization, but its intimate links with Mossad were first exposed in 2013, when a US embassy cable was published by WikiLeaks.

In that classified document, the group’s director Nitsana Darshan-Leitner told US embassy staff that the group “took direction” from Israeli spy agencies, including Mossad.

In 2017, Shurat Hadin won a $178.5 million US court judgment against Iran and Syria in 2017 over the death of an American in Jerusalem al-Quds.

Darshan-Leitner told AFP that the vessel’s sale would not raise more than a fraction of the court’s award, but it could pave the way for the seizure of other Iranian assets.

Those assets have already been subject to a witch hunt by the Americans who have used US animosity toward the Islamic Republic to easily win lawsuits against Tehran in courts.

In 2016, the US Supreme Court ruled that about $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks.

Iran has denounced US attempts to expropriate its frozen assets as “highway robbery”.

A spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in London, quoted by the Express, denounced the latest attempt against Iran's supertanker.

“The position is clear. The tanker has been seized illegally and should be released as soon as possible,” the unnamed official was quoted as saying.

Russia: US anti-Iran line behind rise in Mideast tensions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the hostile policy being pursued by the United States against Iran has fueled tensions in the Middle East, warning that such an approach could have “catastrophic consequences” in the region.

In an interview with the Russian ‘Argumenty i Fakty’ weekly published on Wednesday, Lavrov said the current flare-up of regional tensions is the “direct consequence of Washington’s and some of its allies' anti-Iranian line.”

He also warned that Washington’s muscle-flexing against Tehran may lead to a “dangerous situation.”

“The US is flexing its muscles, it has launched a campaign to discredit Iran, has accused the Islamic Republic of all the sins,” Lavrov said. “It creates a dangerous situation where a spark would be enough to light a fire. The US would be responsible for any possible catastrophic consequences.”

The top Russian diplomat further stressed that Iran has repeatedly expressed its willingness to ensure regional stability through dialog with all countries, including the Persian Gulf Arab states, which have interests in the region.

Moscow, he added, has been taking steps to ease tensions and promote collective security in the Persian Gulf through confidence-building measures.

“We are working with our partners to maintain multilateral agreements and resolve the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program,” Lavrov said.