Iran seizes Marshall Islands-flagged ship, US destroyer monitoring situation

Middle East, News April 28, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

The Iranian Navy has reportedly seized a Marshall Islands-flagged ship in Persian Gulf, the US Defense Ministry says.

The navy seized the Maersk Tigris under court order at the request of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, Fars news agency reported.

“The ship was seized after a relevant court order was issued for its confiscation,” Fars quoted a source as saying.

The manager of the confiscated ship told a Danish news channel that the 24 crew members are mostly from Eastern Europe and Asia.

IRNA news agency reported conflicting figures, saying that there were 34 crew members on board the vessel, the majority of whom were Europeans.

According to Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, the captain of the vessel had to comply with the orders of the Iranian forces after the warning shots.

The cargo ship “complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters in the vicinity of Larak Island,” Warren said. He called the decision “inappropriate.”

The Iranian warship Alborz, foreground, prepares before leaving Iran’s waters on April 7, 2015.

He further noted that there have been no US nationals in the vessel and nobody has suffered injuries in the incident.

The destroyer was directed “to proceed at best speed to the nearest location of the Maersk Tigris,” he said.

Warren said that US planes and the destroyer USS Farragut responded to a distress call from the vessel and are monitoring the situation.

According to Press TV, the cargo ship was seized due to legal issues, with an Iranian Foreign Ministry source telling Press TV that the ship has been seized over financial violations.

RT/SS/IA