Greece denies Iranian claims of seized vessel

Greece’s shipping ministry has denied Iranian state media reports that a Greek-linked instrumentality vessel targeted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been seized and is being taken to Iran, clarifying that the vessel remains under the afloat power of its captain.

Earlier, Iranian television reported that two vessels – the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas – were successful Iranian custody pursuing attacks successful the region.

The Epaminondas, managed by Maersk and chartered by Greek shipowner George Youroukos’ Technomar group, came under occurrence while operating adjacent Iranian waters.

The vessel, sailing under a Liberian flag, has a unit of 21 sailors, each nationals of Ukraine and the Philippines.

The Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Ministry, however, said the vessel has not been seized and remains stationary disconnected the Iranian seashore under the bid of its captain.

According to maritime information steadfast Diaplous, the incidental began when a patrol vessel from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards approached the vessel without anterior vigor connection and opened fire.

The onslaught caused constricted worldly harm to the bridge, but nary injuries were reported, with each unit members confirmed safe.

Technomar said the onslaught occurred 20 nautical miles disconnected the seashore of Oman, arsenic the instrumentality vessel was traversing the Strait of Hormuz. It said nary injuries person been reported, while the institution is successful changeless connection with the crew.

The Epaminondas was not the lone vessel progressive successful the latest wave of incidents. Reports bespeak that the Euphoria, a Panamanian-flagged vessel based successful the United Arab Emirates, was besides struck and subsequently ran aground disconnected the Iranian coast. Meanwhile, Iranian media claimed that the MSC Francesca, different Panamanian-flagged vessel, had been seized, though this accusation remains unverified amid the broader determination instability.

According to Greece’s Shipping Ministry, 11 Greek-flagged ships are presently operating within the Persian Gulf, with lone two positioned extracurricular it, while a total of 103 vessels of Greek involvement are progressive crossed the wider region.

This story has been updated.