Iran’s decision over cargo ship ‘in accord with maritime law’

An American political commentator says Iran’s action in the Strait of Hormuz was in accord with maritime law after a cargo ship trespassed on Iranian waters.

“On Tuesday, an Iranian vessel boarded a ship carrying the flag of the Marshall Islands in the Persian Gulf after it has entered Iranian waters. This was an action perfectly in accord with international and maritime law, where the cargo ship complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters,” Professor Emeritus of University of Minnesota James Henry Fetzer told Press TV on Wednesday.

“No US nationals were aboard the vessel. No one has suffered injuries in the incident,” he added.

US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said on Tuesday that it was “premature” to say whether the use of force is needed after Iran boarded the container ship.

A Marshall Islands-flagged container ship was seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz due to legal issues.

Iranian forces boarded the MV Maersk Tigris after the vessel trespassed on Iranian waters on Tuesday.

Iranian naval forces fired warning shots across the bow of the vessels.

“It’s obvious that it would be inappropriate for the United States to take any military action here,” Fetzer said.

“The US is showing an appropriate degree of restraint,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham defended as legal Iran’s decision to impound the ship, saying the vessel was seized by Iranian Navy forces based on a court decision.

“The move was in the framework of the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and [is] consistent with International regulations and protocols,” Afkham said on Wednesday.