Iran Press/Europe: Tweeting on Monday, Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations Carl Bildt wrote: "The legalities of the UK seizure of a tanker with oil from Iran intrigues me," according to IRNA.
"One refers to EU sanctions against Syria, but Iran is not a member of EU," argued the European diplomat.
Carl Bildt pointedly added: "And the EU as a principle doesn’t impose its sanctions on others. That’s what the US does."
Bildt referred to the re-imposition of unilateral US extraterritorial sanctions on Iran last year after it withdrew from the nuclear deal.
Related news:
Iran stays in JCPOA despite 'unacceptable' US sanctions
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to the tweet, writing 'precisely'.
He also in a tweet stressed that Iran is neither a member of the EU nor subject to any European oil embargo.
The UK claims it seized the carrier off the coast of Gibraltar due to EU sanctions on Syria, according to Iran Press.
The British navy seized an Iranian tanker at Gibraltar on Thursday (July 4th) at the request of the United States.
Iran’s Deputy FM Abbas Araghchi rejected the British claim, saying the tanker wasn’t heading for Syria at all.
Tehran has slammed the British move as piracy, urging the immediate release of the tanker.
The EU imposed sanctions on Syria in 2011, but hasn't been approved by the UN. It's the first time an EU member state seizes an oil cargo since then. 213/208
Read more:
Iran's top commander warns UK on the seizure of Iranian tanker
UK should release tanker, or face consequences: Raisi
Iran dismisses reports about alleged seizure of a British oil tanker in Persian Gulf
If UK not gives back Iranian oil tanker, its enterprise should be retaliated
