Panama City, Apr 22 (EFE).- Panama condemned on Wednesday Iran’s seizure of a Panamanian flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz,calling it a “serious violation” of maritime security and contrary to international law.
»Panama, a maritime nation with the world’s largest merchant fleet and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, condemns in the strongest terms the illegal seizure on Wednesday by the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran of the Panamanian-flagged, Italian-owned vessel MSC-Francesca,» stated the Panamanian Foreign Ministry’s press release.
The official statement noted that the vessel was transiting the Strait of Hormuz «when it was seized and forcibly taken into Iranian territorial waters.»
»This represents a serious threat to maritime security and constitutes an unnecessary escalation at a time when the international community is advocating that the Strait of Hormuz remain open to international navigation without threats or blackmail of any kind,» the statement added.
Panama’s condemnation comes after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday the seizure of two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including the “MSC-Francesca,” for “operating without authorization,” and “manipulating navigation aid systems in a way that endangered maritime safety.”
A spokesperson for the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine confirmed to EFE that the Greek container ship ‘Epaminondas’ was attacked on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, but denied, however, that it had been seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Hours earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which monitors the safety of ships and sailors around the world, had reported at least two attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
These events come after United States President Donald Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran that was set to expire on Wednesday to allow time for negotiations with the Islamic Republic.
Trump assured, however, that he would maintain the naval blockade imposed on Iran, which Tehran has denounced as a violation of the truce and has therefore refused to participate in another round of negotiations. EFE
fa/mcd
