Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Iran captures UK tanker: Hunt says there will be ‘serious consequences’ if Revolutionary Guard does not return control of British ship

As it happened

Map: Iranian authorities 'seize British tanker'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Iran has seized a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the tanker “Impero Stena” was seized Friday for “non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations”.

UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned “if this situation is not resolved quickly there will be serious consequences”.

Follow live updates below

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the ongoing incident in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lucy Anna Gray19 July 2019 20:06

The website of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, sepahnews.com, has said the British tanker "Impero Stena" was seized Friday for "non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations" and was taken to an Iranian port.

Lucy Anna Gray19 July 2019 20:08

Deputy leader of Labour Tom Watson has said the reports coming out of the Strait of Hormuz are "of real concern".

Lucy Anna Gray19 July 2019 20:26

Credit: PA 

This is a screengrab from www.marinetraffic.com showing the route taken by the first oil tanker, Stena Impero.

Lucy Anna Gray19 July 2019 20:31

The owner of Stena Impero has confirmed that at around 16:00BST the ship was approached in international waters by small crafts and a helicopter and they are now unable to contact the vessel.

Lucy Anna Gray19 July 2019 20:32

Hello. This is Andrew Buncombe in Seattle. Thanks for joining our coverage about the seizing of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf, apparently by Iranian forces

Andrew Buncombe19 July 2019 20:33

What we know so far is that the vessel,  the Stena Impero, which was bound for Saudi Arabia, say they have been unable to contact the vessel and it is 'heading north towards Iran'

Andrew Buncombe19 July 2019 20:34

Iran's Revolutionary Guards has claimed it is behind the capture of the British-flagged tanker. It follows Britain's seizure of an Iranian vessel earlier this month

Andrew Buncombe19 July 2019 20:36
Andrew Buncombe19 July 2019 20:37

Donald Trump has weighed in on the issue, saying he will talk to the UK about the issue

Andrew Buncombe19 July 2019 20:41

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in