hief Executive of Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization
(PMO) announced the strong protest of the country to the International Maritime
Organization following the seizure of Iranian oil tanker by the Greek
government.
While protesting against the illegal seizure of Iranian oil
tanker by Greece which was done with the support of US government, Deputy
Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Akbar Safaei said that the Greek
government's illegal action against Iranian ship is contrary to the goals and
positions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an international
maritime authority.
Speaking with the Secretary-General of the IMO Kitack Lim,
Safaei emphasized that this is not the first time that Iranian merchant ships
and oil tankers have been directly or indirectly seized by the United States.
In recent years, a number of Iranian tankers have been
seized by the United States and subsequently, Iranian Ports and Maritime
Organization, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, lodged its complaint
to the Legal Division of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), he
continued.
Stating that the US actions are against the security in the
seas as well as safe passage, the deputy roads minister stipulated, “Our ships
and sailors have been under constant threat following harsh US sanctions.
Therefore, we hope that IMO will pay special attention to this issue.”
As Iranian ship had requested emergency assistance from the
Greek authorities, they, with the support of the United States, have seized the
Iranian merchant and cargo ship and unloaded its cargo, he said, adding that
such move is considered ‘an act of piracy’.
IMO Secretary-General, for his part, said that members of
the International Maritime Organization are aware of Iran's concern and protest
against the recent events and “We are opposed to any discrimination or attack
on maritime safety and security.”
Kitack Lim stated that he will bring up the issue in the
upcoming meeting of IMO Assembly to find a solution.