Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.
Syria: Local sources report a general military mobilization of foreign fighters in Idlib following armed clashes in the “French Camp” in the Idlib countryside.
Syria: Local sources report that International Coalition forces carried out an airdrop operation on a house in the village of al-Kassar, eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
Local sources: 3 killed, 7 injured in attack on transport bus in Idlib countryside, Syria
The 'French faction' in Idlib announces that Syrian security forces are preparing to attack its camp amid accusations that it is collaborating with ISIS.
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm the Old City in the center of Nablus, occupied West Bank
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Sudanese army forces drones strike town of Kabkabiya, North Darfur.
Syrian Observatory: The plane is loaded with air defense systems and heavy weapons as part of US troop reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria
Syrian Observatory: US cargo plane lands with two military helicopters at Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of Rmeilan, north of Hasakah

Illegal seizure of Iranian tankers to be considered in IMO meeting

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jun 2022 10:22
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

IMO Secretary-General says that members of the World Maritime Organization are aware of Iran's objections over the illegal seizure of Iranian tankers.

  • x
  • Iranian oil tanker
    Iranian oil tanker

Kitack Lim, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), pointed out on Tuesday that the illegal seizure of Iranian tankers will be considered in the coming IMO meeting.

Lim's remarks came during a telephone conversation with the Iranian Deputy Minister and Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali Akbar Safaei.

The Secretary-General said the issue will be discussed upon Iran's objection to Greece's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker as per US dictations, adding that this is not the first time that Iranian commercial ships and tankers have been seized directly and indirectly by the US.

On his part, Safaei considered that the US actions violate the safety and tranquility of the seas and safe shipping.

Maritime piracy

Safaei pointed out that Iranian tankers and sailors have long faced threats following the imposition of US sanctions on Iran, adding that Tehran requests the IMO to give special attention to the case and react appropriately.

He indicated that the Iranian tanker had requested emergency help from the Greek authorities, but the latter seized the tanker and emptied its cargo with US support, affirming that Tehran considers such moves as maritime piracy.

He considered that such actions undermine the IMO, the maritime transport industry, and the safety of international waters.

Related News

Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla sails from Crete despite Israeli threats

HRF files war crimes, genocide complaint vs. Israeli soldier in Greece

In response, Lim noted during the call that World Maritime Organization members are aware of Iran's concerns and objections and are against any aggression against maritime safety and security.

He underlined that maritime transport and shipping should not be affected by the political actions of countries, revealing that the IMO is facing restrictions on considering political issues.

Iranian government's "strong objections"

The Iranian port authority had announced 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.

Originally, the ship is Russian-flagged - named Pegas - but it changed its flag to an Iranian one to avoid EU and US sanctions over the Ukraine war.

The Pegas oil tanker, with 19 Russian crew members on board, was detected by Greek authorities on April 8 and seized under anti-Russian EU sanctions.

In the same context, Iran's state news agency IRNA confirmed that the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the chargé d'affaires of Greece's embassy in Tehran in regard to the matter and informed him of the Iranian government's "strong objections".

Iran seizes two Greek oil tankers

It is noteworthy that this was not the first time the US seized Iranian fuel. In 2020, Washington seized "four cargoes of Iranian fuel aboard foreign ships that were bound for Venezuela and transferred them with the help of undisclosed foreign partners onto two other ships which then sailed to the United States," Reuters highlighted.

Iranian media reported two days later that Iran's Coast Guard seized two Greek oil tankers, the Delta Poseidon and the Prudent Warrior, off the coast of Aslaviyeh and Bandar Lengeh.

Iranian media outlets said that Tehran has made the decision to take punitive measures against Greece on account of the latter's seizing of an Iranian oil tanker close to its coasts.

  • Greece
  • Iran

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
How an Israeli-backed firm spied on US churches to push propaganda

How an Israeli-backed firm spied on US churches to push propaganda

  • Politics
  • 15 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli settler stands over a woman who was harvesting olives after assaulting her, October 19, 2025 (social media)
Politics

West Bank sees 757 Israeli settler attacks in one year

The OpenAI logo appears on a mobile phone in front of a screen showing part of the company website in this photo taken on Nov. 21, 2023 (AP)
Technology

OpenAI unveils new search browser built around chatGPT

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, from right, and War Secretary Pete Hegseth listen as President Donald Trump meets in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, October 20, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

‘Your mom’ politics take over Trump administration

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem during a public address on October 21, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon stability depends on ending Israeli aggression

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS