Tehran (IP) - Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiee said UK has been isolated with regards to its policy of impounding an Iranian oil tanker, with major European countries disagreeing with UK's action.

Iran Press/Iran news: Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiee said at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday.

Rabiee was asked by Iran Press correspondent: "Why have the British impounded the Iranian oil Tanker, given that major European countries do not agree with this British action, and it seems to be more in line with hostile US action against Iran? Have the British contravened international law by seizing the Iranian oil tanker ?

He replied: "Iranian officials pursue the legal actions necessary with regard to the oil tanker seized by UK military forces, adding that the Gibraltar court rulings are influenced by UK policies." 

Ali Rabiee added: "Yet, the courts have not seen any strong evidence, and have decided to release the crew of the Iranian oil tanker."

Rabiee went on to note "Considering the available evidence, Islamic Republic act, and UK 's sayings, I predict that the UK authorities will soon retract their claims, because the destination of the ship is not what the British authorities have announced."

Government spokesman, Ali Rabiee went on to admonish  UK by saying: "Our advice to the United Kingdom is not to send warships [to the Persian Gulf], instead let Persian Gulf nations provide the security of this region, for this way the security of the region and waterways will be better provided."

Earlier on Saturday, the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Islamic Republic of Iran would continue to export its oil in all circumstances, emphasising the illegality of US oil sanctions.

He made the remarks on Saturday evening in a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The British navy seized an Iranian tanker at Gibraltar on Thursday (July 4th) at the request of the United States. 203/211/215

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