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.

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.