Iran hits back over seized South Korean tanker, demanding release of US$7 billion in frozen funds
- Tehran tells Seoul ‘not to politicise’ the seizure of the MT Hankuk Chemi as South Korea’s vice-foreign minister arrives for talks
- Iran has denied allegations of ‘hostage taking’ over the incident involving the vessel and its 20-member crew
Iran said on Sunday that South Korea should avoid politicising the seizure of its vessel by Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the Gulf, Iranian state media reported, while pressing Seoul to release US$7 billion in funds frozen amid US sanctions.
South Korea’s vice-foreign minister, Choi Jong-kun, arrived in Tehran on Sunday to discuss the release of the South Korean-flagged MT Hankuk Chemi, which was seized by the Guards on Monday near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has denied allegations that the seizure of the tanker and its 20-member crew amounted to hostage taking, and said it was Seoul that was holding Iran’s funds “hostage”.
Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told South Korea’s Choi that Seoul “should refrain from politicising the issue and fruitless propaganda and allow the legal proceedings to proceed”, Iran’s state television reported.
Iran’s government spokesman said on Tuesday the vessel was seized based on an Iranian court order for “environmental pollution”.