International reactions have been sparked by the seizure of two Greek ships in the Persian Gulf by Iranian authorities. The two Greek tankers are heading on Tehran's orders to the port of Badarrabas, on the Persian side of the Straits of Hormuz, which have been seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The Greek sailors are fine - as parents and comrades who spoke with them after the Iranians returned their mobile phones told ERT.
On board the ships remain guard teams of 7 to 8 armed men.
We are in regular contact with the captain. The crew members are in good health. Their mobile phones, which had been taken from them, have been returned to them, and they were allowed over the weekend to contact their relatives and their employers," says an executive of the shipping company Polembros Shipping.
Manolis Veveyakis from Paleokastro Sitia is the second engineer of the Prudent Warrior ship mobilized by the Iranians in the Persian Gulf.
Manolis Veveyakis from Paleokastro Sitia is the second engineer of the Prudent Warrior ship mobilized by the Iranians in the Persian Gulf. His parents, speaking to the Star, are sobbing.
"They are in the Persian Gulf we know that. The barge has been captured by Iranians, who at first went by helicopter over what we know," his father says.
"May everything go well and soon both crews and both ships will be freed and return home. There are a total of 7 on our ship and one Cypriot. I think the Cypriot is the captain. Yesterday, he managed to call us at some point and told us that everyone is fine," says the mother of the Greek sailor.
Manolis' father reveals that the whole crew was gathered on the bridge of the ship when the raid took place: "They were all waiting there with masks on. There were all the masked men waiting with their masks on. They were a bit nervous and a bit scared at first because when they went upstairs they didn't know exactly what was going on."
The Star reveals all the background behind the resalos and how Russia is involved.
Greek sailors seem to have been caught up in the vortex of Vladimir Putin's geopolitical games.
Russia and Iran appear to have allied themselves to circumvent Western sanctions.
Russia and Iran appear to have formed an alliance to circumvent Western sanctions. Thus, Iranian commandos have resalted the 2 Greek tankers in retaliation for the legal seizure of an Iranian-flagged tanker a few days ago in Karystos.
In this climate, anxiety is mounting for the Greek sailors with the Greek foreign ministry calling for their immediate release. As reported by Tasnim Agency, Iranian shipping companies have said they are not in danger.
"The crew of the two Greek tankers have not been arrested and all crew members... are in good health, protected and provided with the necessary services while on board the ships, in accordance with international law," Tasnim Agency writes.
"In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have taken all necessary initiatives to free both our seafarers and the ships," says Shipping Minister G.
At the same time, however, the New York Times reveals that it is possible that other Greek ships could suffer the same fate.
Tasniim Agency warned that 17 other Greek-flagged tankers sailing in the Persian Gulf will be seized by Iran if the tanker and its cargo are not returned.
The Persian Gulf is full of Greek tankers which are often guarded by experienced mercenaries. In the event of a new resalos the risk of a new resalos is high.
The pirate resalos has set off a series of chain reactions. Major foreign agencies such as the Daily Mail and France 24 are reporting the news, while the spokesman for the European Commission issued a statement.
"We are following with great concern the unacceptable seizure of the two Greek ships by Iran in the Persian Gulf," said Peter Stano.
Source: in.gr
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