![\"iran-greek-tankers\"](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/iran-greek-tankers.jpg\" "\\"iran-greek-tankers\\"")
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The Iranian regime\u2019s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) seized two Greek oil tankers<\/a> in the Strait of Hormuz in an apparent retaliatory move. But all facts on the ground confirm this brazen piracy in line with Tehran\u2019s extortion campaign.<\/p>\n The Greek foreign ministry described the seizure of the tankers as \u201cacts of piracy,\u201d and there have been calls for holding Tehran accountable for its maritime terrorism.<\/p>\n On Friday, the IRGC forces boarded the Prudent Warrior, a Greek-owned vessel. The second vessel is identified as Delta Poseidon. Tehran seized these vessels a month after Athens seized the Russian-flagged Pegas oil tanker, aka Lana, for carrying sanctioned Iranian oil. The U.S. announced this week it had taken the oil from Lana.<\/p>\n In its statement on Friday, the IRGC blatantly declared, \u201cThis is the Persian Gulf and has one custodian.\u201d Hossain Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of Kayhan daily, applauded the regime\u2019s maritime terrorism and called for more \u201cretaliatory\u201d actions against \u201chostile nations\u201d to secure the regime\u2019s \u201cinterests.\u201d<\/p>\n Kayhan is the mouthpiece of the regime\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. So, when Shariatmadari emphasizes that \u201cIran has the right to close the Strait of Hormuz when its interests are jeopardized,\u201d he underscores the regime\u2019s hostile foreign policy.<\/p>\n Tehran seized the Greek oil tankers days after the United States announced it would keep the IRGC on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations<\/a> (FTO) list. Besides, talks in Vienna to restore the highly flawed Iran 2015 nuclear deal with world powers have stalled due to Tehran\u2019s brazen demands, such as revoking the IRGC\u2019s designation.<\/p>\n Seizing the regime\u2019s crude was in the framework of sanctions imposed on Iran\u2019s oil export, the revenue of which has been squandered on terrorism by the ruling theocracy. But why did Tehran not act immediately and jump into action weeks after its crude oil was seized?<\/p>\n This action is indeed in line with the regime\u2019s hostile foreign policy, centered on extortion and terrorism. But it could have severe consequences for Tehran, especially as many western diplomats engaged in Vienna talks undermine the possibility of reaching a deal with the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n Tehran desperately needs cash to fund its illicit activities, so the regime intends to continue its extortion campaign, either by violating its commitments under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal or by explicit acts of hostility and terrorism.<\/p>\n Iran suffers from an economic crunch due to the regime\u2019s corruption, ineptitude, and mismanagement. International sanctions imposed due to the regime\u2019s warmongering policies aggravate the country\u2019s financial calamity.<\/p>\n Protests erupted across Iran in recent weeks, with people chanting against the regime official for creating and exacerbating the country\u2019s economic crises, leaving millions of Iranians in abject poverty.<\/p>\n These protests are signs of a volatile society. In addition to oppressing the society, Tehran needs to exhibit a hollow show of power and saber-rattling to boost the morale of its demoralized forces.<\/p>\n In November 2021, the IRGC made a great deal of fanfare<\/a> of preventing the U.S. from \u201cstealing an Iranian oil tanker in the Sea of Oman.\u201d<\/p>\n Pentagon immediately rejected this, calling it a \u2018bogus claim.\u2019 \u201cI\u2019ve seen the Iranian claims. They are absolutely totally false and untrue. It\u2019s a bogus claim,\u201d Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.<\/p>\n It was later revealed Tehran had seized a tanker in October. According to the Tanker Trackers website, the vessel \u201cattempted to make a delivery of 700,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil to China but was rejected. SOTHYS [the vessel] then sailed all the way back to Iran and dropped anchor in Bandar Abbas. Yesterday she was relocated to the Strait of Hormuz.\u201d<\/p>\n SOTHYS attempted to make a delivery of 700,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil to China but was rejected. SOTHYS then sailed all the way back to Iran and dropped anchor in Bandar Abbas. Yesterday she was relocated to the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com\/Y9JRYWJEbq<\/a><\/p>\n — TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) November 3, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n