This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, tensions in the Middle East escalated as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz.
The seizure was reportedly due to a collision between the Stena Impero and a fishing boat, which Iran claims was a breach of international maritime rules.
According to Allah-Morad Afifipoor, director-general of the Hormozgan province port and maritime organisation, the cause of the collision must be investigated.
"The British tanker Stena Impero collided with a fishing boat on its route and, according to law, after an accident it is necessary that the cause of the accident are investigated," Afifipoor said, quoted by Fars news agency.
At the time of the seizure, the Stena Impero had 23 crew members on board, including 18 Indians, 3 Filipinos, 1 Latvian, and 1 Russian.
Iran's actions have been met with resistance from the international community, with Britain stating that Iran had seized two vessels in the Gulf.
However, the British owner of one of the tankers, the Liberian-flagged Mesdar, disputed this claim, stating that its vessel had been temporarily boarded by armed personnel but was free to leave with all crew members safe and well.
