May leads emergency meeting on Gulf shipping security after ‘tanker seizure’

Bloomberg

Prime Minister Theresa May is leading a meeting of the UK’s emergency committee to discuss the security of shipping in the Persian Gulf, after Iran seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
May and the committee of top officials and ministers, dubbed Cobra, has convened in London, her office said. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt are at the talks.
The UK demanded the immediate release of the Stena Impero, and summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires in London, Mohsen Omidzamani, following the incident in one of the world’s critical energy chokepoints. While the government threatened Iran with “serious consequences” and advised UK ships to avoid the area, it also made clear it’s not seeking to exacerbate tensions.
“We do not seek confrontation with Iran, but it is unacceptable and highly escalatory to seize a ship going about legitimate business through internationally recognised shipping lanes,” May’s spokesman, James Slack, told reporters in London. “The ship was seized under false and illegal pretenses, and the Iranians should release it and it’s crew immediately.”
The Iranian flag was seen flying over the bridge of the tanker in the Bandar Abbas port, according to images aired by state-run Press TV.
Tensions have flared in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks as Iran lashes out against US sanctions that are crippling its oil exports and after the seizure of one of its tankers near Gibraltar. The Strait accounts for about a third of the world’s seaborne oil flows.
The UK plans to take further measures this week, Hunt said, without giving details.
The Sunday Telegraph said diplomatic and economic measures, including a freeze on Iranian assets, are being considered and the UK may push the European Union and United Nations to reimpose sanctions on Iran.