Iran’s seizure of Greek-flagged ships is fiercely condemned by Blinken

According to the State Department, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized last week’s “unjustified seizure” of two Greek-flagged ships by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

Iranian marines detained two Greek tankers in the Gulf on Friday, only days after Tehran threatened Athens with retaliation for the US seizure of Iranian oil from a tanker off the Greek coast.

“Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms are a threat to maritime security and the global economy,” Blinken said in the statement.

Blinken made the comments in a telephone call with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, the department said.

US and Greek ambassadors urged Iran to quickly free the captured ships, contents, and sailors. According to Blinken, the US stands with its NATO ally “in the face of this illegitimate seizure.”

The crew of the two Greek tankers had not been imprisoned, according to Iran’s national maritime authority, and were in excellent condition and being cared for onboard their boats.

Due to European Union sanctions, Greek officials seized the Iranian-flagged Pegas off the coast of Greece last month. According to Reuters, the US later confiscated the Iranian oil shipment carried onboard.

The Pegasus and its Russian crew were ultimately released, but the capture heightened tensions as Iran and international powers sought to resurrect a 2015 nuclear agreement.

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