"If you obey, you will be safe": the Iranian forces urged the British tanker Stena Impero to change course, shortly before boarding it, according to radio broadcasts broadcast by the maritime security company Dryad Global.
"Change your course to 3, 6, 0 degrees immediately"
This audio montage also includes communications between the British frigate HMS Montrose and the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, who seized the tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, causing a new bout of tension in the Gulf. Questioned by AFP, the British Ministry of Defense has confirmed its authenticity.
"If you obey, you will be safe, change course to 3, 6, 0 degrees immediately," said in this recording a member of the Iranian forces to the tanker, in English. The audio montage continues with a conversation between the tanker and the British frigate: "Stena Impero, here the British warship Foxtrot 236. I repeat that since you are in transit in a recognized international strait, your passage, in under international law, must not be disturbed, hindered, blocked or curbed ".
It is then the turn of the Iranians to address the tanker, without it being possible to check if the chronology of the audio montage corresponds to the reality of the different conversations. "Stena Impero, I repeat," said the interlocutor on the Iranian side, "you have received an order, change your course to 3, 6, 0, 3, 6, 0 degrees immediately, if you obey, you will be safe."
"No confrontation sought"
The Iranian forces also turn to HMS Montrose: "Foxtrot 236, here the patrol boat of the (Guardians of the Revolution) No confrontation sought No confrontation sought I want to inspect the ship for security reasons" . HMS Montrose responded by asking the Iranians not to "disturb, hinder, block or slow the passage of MV Stena Impero".
"Please confirm that you do not intend to violate international law by attempting to illegally board the ship," insists the frigate. On Saturday, the United Kingdom urged Iran to release Stena Impero. London deems "unacceptable" its boarding, and says it took place in Oman's territorial waters, which shares control of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.