The audio, released by maritime security risk firm Dryad Global, shows how the British navy was unable to prevent the ship’s seizure Friday by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces. “Sir, I reiterate that as you are conducting transit passage in a recognized international strait, under international law your passage must not be impaired, intruded, obstructed or hampered,” the British officer says. The tanker seizure comes at a ticklish time for Britain, which on Wednesday will see a new prime minister replace Theresa May. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif used the opening session of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) forum in Venezuela on Saturday to blast U.S. foreign policy under Trump. Germany’s foreign minister warned Iran that its seizure of commercial vessels is contributing to an “escalation spiral” that could lead to war.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 21, 2019 16:47 UTC