"Under international law, Iran had no right to obstruct the ship's passage - let alone board her. The proposed new maritime protection mission "will not be part of the US maximum pressure policy on Iran because we remain committed to preserving the Iran nuclear agreement", he said. In contrast, he described the seizure of the Iranian ship as "piracy" and "violation of international law" by British and Gibraltar authorities. Asked about the capture of the British ship, Pompeo said: "The responsibility ... falls to the United Kingdom to take care of their ships." Iranian state television published images it said showed CIA officers who had been in touch with the suspected spies.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 22, 2019 21:00 UTC