British vessel transits Strait of Hormuz, where Iran seized tanker
- The liquefied petroleum gas carrier was closely shadowed by a British warship, a maritime publication reported
- Britain’s foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt recently confirmed the HMS Montrose has accompanied more than 30 ships over the last 10 days through the strait
Maritime publication Lloyd’s List identified the vessel as the BW Elm, and reported that a British warship, likely the HMS Montrose, closely shadowed the large liquefied petroleum gas carrier but that the Royal Navy did not provide a direct escort.
The British ministry of defence declined to specifically comment on the transit and referred to recent comments made by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, in which he the confirmed the HMS Montrose has accompanied more than 30 ships over the last 10 days through the strait.
One-fifth of global crude passes through the shipping corridor, making it an internationally important chokepoint for global energy supplies from Gulf exporters.
Data on tracking site Marine Traffic showed the commercial BW Elm ship arrived at a port in Qatar early Wednesday after transiting the strait on Tuesday. The UK government has advised British-flagged ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the ship’s owner BW LPG declined to comment on specifics, but noted protection by the navy.
“BW LPG is grateful for the UK and international community for their naval presence in the area providing security to merchant vessels transiting through the Straits of Hormuz,” the company said, adding that it is operating “at our highest security protocol”.
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Iranian officials meanwhile reiterated their denial that any Iranian drones were intercepted, after the US military said Tuesday that it took aim at two of them last week.
US Central Command said one Iranian drone crashed into the sea after the USS Boxer took “defensive action” against it last Thursday. It said the Boxer also “engaged” a second Iranian drone at the same time, but could not confirm it was destroyed.
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Iran’s Defence Minister, Gen. Amir Hatami, told reporters Wednesday that “if someone claims he should provide evidence,” adding that “none of our drones have been intercepted”.
The current tensions stem from US President Donald Trump’s decision last year to pull the US from Iran’s nuclear accord with world powers and reinstate sweeping sanctions. The US has also expanded its military presence in the region.
Iranian officials have alleged the Stena Impero was seized after it violated international maritime law by turning off its signalling for longer than is allowed and passing through the wrong channels.
However, Iranian officials have also suggested the ship was seized in response to Britain’s role in impounding an Iranian supertanker two weeks earlier off the coast of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory.
Britain says the tanker was suspected of violating sanctions on oil shipments to Syria.
