Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Vows ‘Reciprocal Response’ Unless London Releases the Iranian Tanker

By Staff, Agencies

Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council of the System Mohsen Rezai warned on Friday that it would be Tehran’s “duty” to seize a British oil tanker if an Iranian tanker detained in Gibraltar was not immediately released.

British Royal Marines seized the supertanker Grace 1 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.

“Throughout 40 years of its history, Iran hadn’t started a single battle, but when attacked it will not hesitate to respond,” Rezai tweeted.

“If Britain does not release the Iranian oil tanker, it is the [Iranian] authorities’ duty to seize a British oil tanker,” Rezai added in the same tweet.