Iran to launch crew of two seized Greek tankers – Greek seafarers union

Iran has agreed to launch the crews of two Greek tankers it seized in May within the Gulf, in response to the confiscation of oil by the United States from an Iranian-flagged tanker in Greece, the Greek union of business ships’ seafarers stated.

The case has strained relations between Athens and Tehran as tensions develop between Iran and the United States.

The tankers’ crew can be changed, permitting their return to their international locations of origin quickly, the union stated in a press release on its web site on Sunday.

It was not clear whether or not the 2 Greek tankers, the MT Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon, could be launched, it added.

Iran’s overseas ministry couldn’t affirm the knowledge.

“We have no confirmation at this moment about a release,” Iran’s overseas ministry spokesperson Nasser KanaanI stated, including that he hoped “there would be positive developments in the future”.

A Greek transport ministry supply stated on Monday that “a very serious effort has been under way for the return of the Greek crews the soonest possible,” with out elaborating.

The Iranian-flagged tanker Lana, previously Pegas, was seized by Greece in April and was held for months. The United States had confiscated a part of its oil cargo because of sanctions.

The elimination of oil from the Lana prompted Iranian forces in May to grab two Greek tankers within the Middle East Gulf and sail them again to Iran after Tehran warned of “punitive action” towards Athens.

Lana, which had engine issues, was formally launched in July. Anchored off Piraeus since then, it has retrieved the oil cargo that the United States had confiscated and is anticipated to sail again to Iran.

Polembros transport, supervisor of the MT Prudent Warrior, stated in a press release on Monday that the crew communicates with their households nearly each day and “they are in good health and are treated well”.

It added that the corporate is making each effort for his or her launch.

“We have been innocent victims caught in the midst of political confrontations,” it stated within the assertion. “We hope that the recent developments are the pathway to the release of our vessel and her crew.”