Imam Khamenei Warns the British Government of Response for Its Act of ’Piracy’ against Iran’s Oil Tanker

By Staff

Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei denounced the United Kingdom's illegal seizure of an Iranian oil tanker, warning that the act of “piracy” will not go unanswered.

Imam Khamenei's remarks came as he met on Tuesday with Friday prayers leaders from across Iran.

Imam Khamenei was reacting to the British military’s seizure of oil tanker “Grace 1” off the coast of Gibraltar earlier this month on suspension of carrying crude to Syria in breach of the European Union’s unilateral bans on the Arab state.

Reports, however, suggested that the seizure took place at the request of the United States, which has been bent on driving Iranian oil exports to “zero” as part of its sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

"The vicious British government committed piracy and attacked our ship; they commit crimes and legalize them. The Islamic Republic and the believing members of the establishment will not leave such vicious acts without a response," Imam Khamenei emphasized.

His Eminence stressed that the Western governmnets' biggest scourge is their arrogance. "If the government they are facing was weak, then they will continue their arrogance. But once a country learns their truth, realizes it and resists, this will lead to their collapse. Regarding the issues between Iran and the Europeans, the reason of the remaining problems is their arrogance."

Stressing that Iran will definitely continue reducing its JCPOA commitments, Imam Khamenei reiterated Iran's note stated by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif: "Europe agreed to 11 commitments but didn't implement any of them. Now as we started reducing our commitments, they are rushing toward us."