Iranian State Media Shares More Footage of British-Flagged Tanker

The Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN), a news channel operated by the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), published footage on July 20 showing the British-flagged Stena Impero after its seizure by Iran. Iran’s port and maritime authority said the vessel was being held at Bandar Abbas port in Hormozgan province and was seized after “reports of violations of international maritime law.” The ship’s owner, Stena Bulk, said that the Stena Impero vessel was “approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter” while in international waters with 23 personnel on board. Both Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management had lost contact with the tanker, the statement said. Among the 23 crew were 18 Indian nationals, while the other five were from Russia, Latvia, and the Philippines, Iran’s port and maritime authority said. Credit: IRIB via Storyful