UK advises its shipping to stay out of Strait of Hormuz for interim period

LONDON, July 20 (MENA) - The UK has advised its shipping to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz area for an interim period, The Independent newspaper reported.

This came after British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt convened a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee to discuss Iran's seizure of a UK-registered oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

After the ministers met, a government spokeswoman said they were "deeply concerned about Iran’s unacceptable actions which represent a clear challenge to international freedom of navigation."

"We have advised UK shipping to stay out of the area for an interim period."

She added: "As the Foreign Secretary has said, our response will be considered and robust and there will be serious consequences if the situation is not resolved."

"We remain in close contact with our international partners and there will be further meetings over the weekend."

Iran seized two British oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz weeks after British royal marines took control of an Iranian vessel suspected of transporting fuel to Syria.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard took control of the UK-registered Stena Impero over what it claimed were violations of international regulations on Friday afternoon. They later took it to port.