Greece seizes ship sailing under Iranian flag
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Iranian port authority says Greek authorities seized a ship carrying an Iranian flag and impounded its cargo by order from the United States.
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Iran's port authority stated that the Greek military emptied the ship's cargo
Iran's port authority called the Greek charge d'affaires in Tehran and voiced its protest of the impounding of a ship sailing under the Iranian flag.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned Greece's submission to US pressure by impounding the ship that had to make a stop in Greek ports, noting that the impounding of the ship's cargo constitutes a form of maritime piracy and rests, the responsibility for which falls upon the Greek government.
The Iranian port authority announced on Wednesday that Greek authorities impounded a ship carrying the Iranian flag and confiscated its cargo by court order and in coordination with the US government.
The port authority added that the ship sought shelter in Greek ports to protect the safety of its crew, but received no aid, noting that the ship was unloaded by the army, in a step that is considered a clear example of piracy.
Earlier this month, a source told Al Mayadeen that Greek authorities had been impounding a ship sailing under the Iranian flag since 20 April.
The tanker, which had been sailing under the Russian flag since April 8 changed its flag, sailing under Iran's, knowing that the European Union, unlike the US, has not imposed sanctions on Iranian oil.
Greek media outlets reported at the time that the US asked Greek judicial authorities to impound the shipment and conduct an investigation.
