"You must not in any way prevent or hinder the passage of MV Stena Impero", heard from the British fleet.

Shortly thereafter, the answer comes from Iran:

"This is the Iranian Navy patrol boat. We do not intend to challenge. I want to inspect the ship for safety reasons. "

This is how the audio recording is said to be a radio conversation between officers on a British fleet and an Iranian patrol boat. The conversation will take place on Friday night when the Swedish-owned tanker Stena Impero was seized by Iran. The UK Department of Defense has confirmed the authenticity of the recording for NBC News.

Iran: The crew is doing well

It is a private security company operating in maritime transport that should have come across the recording, and who then spread it further. During the course of the conversation, the British failed to prevent the Stena Impero ship from being seized on its way past the Strait of Hormuz and transferred to Iran.

"Please confirm that you do not intend to violate international law by illegally attempting to board MV Stena Impero," says the British fleet in an attempt to stop boarding.

On Sunday, Iran has ensured that the 23-man crew is doing well. The oil ship is Swedish-owned but British-flagged, and Britain has condemned Iran's actions. In a statement on Sunday, Stena Bulk, who owns the tanker, said that they had made an inquiry to Iran to meet the crew. According to Stena Bulk, Iran has received the request, but has yet to respond.

Friday's incident happened just over two weeks after an Iranian oil tanker was stopped by Britain. The Iranian tanker is suspected to be on its way to Syria with oil, which is contrary to EU sanctions. Earlier on Friday, Gilbraltar's highest legal effort decided that the ship may be held for another 30 days, writes the AFP news agency.