Iran to release crew of two seized Greek tankers, Greek seafarers union says

Iran to release crew of two seized Greek tankers, Greek seafarers union says
Reuters September 12, 2022 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-release-crew-two-seized-g...

ATHENS, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Iran has agreed to release the crews of two Greek tankers it seized in May in the Gulf, in response to the confiscation of oil by the United States from an Iranian-flagged tanker in Greece, the Greek union of commercial ships' seafarers said.

The case has strained relations between Athens and Tehran as tensions grow between Iran and the United States.

The tankers' crew will be replaced, allowing their return to their countries of origin soon, the union said in a statement on its website on Sunday.

It was not clear whether the two Greek tankers, the MT Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon, would be released, it added.

Iran's foreign ministry could not confirm the information.

"We have no confirmation at this moment about a release," Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser KanaanI said, adding that he hoped "there would be positive developments in the future".

A Greek shipping ministry source said on Monday that "a very serious effort has been under way for the return of the Greek crews the soonest possible," without elaborating.