Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 12-07-2019
A University of Birmingham professor has told Radio Islam that Iranian military forces are being defiant in a show of authority after Iranian vessels allegedly tried to block a United Kingdom oil tanker near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The three Iranian vessels tried to block the oil tanker passing through the strait on Thursday, which controls the flow of one-fifth of the world’s oil but backed off when confronted by a Royal Navy warship.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard has denied blocking the British tanker which came a week after Britain seized an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar believed to be headed to Syria in violations of European Union sanctions.
University of Birmingham’s Professor Scott Lucas says Iran is trying to show the world that it cannot be pushed around.
“The revolutionary guards operate very much within the guidance of the supreme leader. I am not saying the revolutionary guard’s necessarily wanted to take over the British ship, but it is notable that not only military leaders, but President Hasan Rouhani had said that there would be a retaliation for the taking of the Iranian supertanker and military commanders have said that they wanted to seize at least one British vessel.”
Scott says given Iran’s actions, he expects there to be more US and UK military presence in the area to protect the tankers.
Listen to the interview with Scott Lucas
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