UK said it is planning a European-led naval force to escort tankers through the world’s busiest oil shipping lane.
Iran denounced as “provocative” and “hostile” a British proposal for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf amid soaring tensions over the seizure of ships.
The condemnation on Sunday came as a Royal Navy warship arrived in the Gulf to accompany British-flagged vessels passing through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The HMS Duncan joined the Frigate HMS Montrose in the Gulf to defend freedom of navigation, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
“We heard that they intend to send a European fleet to the Persian Gulf, which naturally carries a hostile message, is provocative, and will increase tensions,” said Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei. Britain said on Monday it was planning a European-led force to escort tankers through the world’s busiest oil shipping lane, the Strait of Hormuz, in response to Iran’s seizure of a United Kingdom-flagged vessel on July 19.
The capture of the Stena Impero came two weeks after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker – the Grace 1 – off its overseas territory Gibraltar over allegations it was breaching
EU sanctions on Syria. Main source of tensions
In his comments on Sunday, the government spokesman said Iran believed the security of the oil-rich Gulf had to be maintained by countries in the region.
“We are the biggest agent of maritime security in the Persian Gulf,” Rabiei was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency.
Source: aljazeera.com
Sunday, April 26, 2026
