Donald Trump vows to stand up for UK after Iran seizes two British oil tankers

DONALD Trump has vowed to stand up for the UK over the seizure of two British oil tankers, saying: “Iran is in big trouble”.

The Stena Impero and Mesdar were halted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and diverted to their waters less than an hour apart today in the Gulf.

14

14

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has declared there will be “serious consequences” as tensions escalate in the flashpoint region.

And the US President has promised he will back up the UK to honour the long-standing special relationship.

“Iran is showing their true colours,” he told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House as he departed for a weekend in New Jersey.

“Iran is in big trouble.”

He added that the US and the UK will be working together to find a solution to the worsening tanker row.

“Well, as you know we have a very close alliance with the UK and we always have,” Trump said.

“We don’t have very many tankers going in but we have a lot of warships there and we’ll talk to the UK.

“We have no written agreement but we have an agreement but they’ve been a very great ally of ours.”

‘NOTHING BUT TROUBLE’

Trump then branded Iran “nothing but trouble”.

“And remember this, the agreement, the ridiculous agreement made by President Obama, expires in a very short period of time.

“It was a short term agreement. When you’re dealing in countries, you have to deal in 50 years and 100 years.”

The Government’s Cobra committee held an emergency meeting in Whitehall after the Stena Impero and Mesdar were halted by troops in speedboats and helicopters and diverted to Iran.

British-flagged Stena Impero was sailing to the Saudi port of Jubail but map tracking data shows it veered off course with a sharp turn north at around 4.17pm UK time.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said it had been “impounded” and claimed the tanker had turned off its tracker, ignored warnings from the Revolutionary Guards and was sailing in the wrong direction in a shipping lane.

14

14

14

14

14

State-controlled TV claimed the ship was seized because it was “violating international maritime rules”.

Less than an hour later at around 5pm the Mesdar – Liberian-flagged but operated by the UK firm Norbulk Shipping UK – also turned sharply north towards Iran’s coast after passing westward through the Strait.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported regional military sources saying the vessel had been allowed to continue its journey after armed troops boarded and issued a warning.

Tracking data indicated the Mesdar had changed direction a second time and started heading west into the Gulf.

A statement from Norbulk said: “Communication has been re-established with the vessel and Master confirmed that the armed guards have left and the vessel is free to continue the voyage. All crew are safe and well.”

But the Impero was taken to an Iranian port along with its 23 crew. It is thought no British citizens were on board either ship.

The Royal Navy’s Type-23 frigate HMS Montrose was in Omani waters and tried to steam to the rescue but was around ten minutes too late, according to The Times.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “I’m extremely concerned by the seizure of two vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz.

“These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region.”

Mr Hunt later added: “We will respond in a way is considered but robust, and we are absolutely clear that if this situation is not resolved quickly there will be serious consequences.”

Mr Hunt continued: “We’re not looking at military options, we are a looking at diplomatic way to resolve the situation.

“But we are very clear that it must be resolved.”

14

14

14

14

14

14

14