The seizure of a British flagged tanker by Iran is in "clear violation of international law" because it was in Omani waters, the head of the UK Chamber of Shipping said on Sunday.
On Saturday British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said the Stena Impero was seized in Omani waters in clear contravention of international law and then forced to sail into Iran. Iran says the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat.
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"The chart released by Her Majesty's government today clearly demonstrates that the Swedish-owned and British-flagged tanker, Stena Impero, was in Oman territorial waters when she was boarded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Friday 19th July," said Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping.
"The evidence provided is proof that the seizing of the Stena Impero was in clear violation of international law."
Sanguinetti added that there is no comparison to be made with the seizure of Grace I, which was done under international law for the breach of EU sanctions.
"The Stena Impero was outside Iranian waters and legitimately carrying out its business at the time of its seizure," he said.
Meanwhile, Stena Bulk has made a formal request to visit the 23 crew members of the Stena Impero and is awaiting a formal response, it said on Sunday.
"I can confirm a formal request for permission to visit the 23 crew members of the Stena Impero has been made to the authorities at the Port of Bandar Abbas," Stena Bulk President and CEO Erik Hanell said in a statement.
"The request has been acknowledged, but we await a formal response. In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate and liaise with all appropriate authorities."
In an audio recording released Sunday, a British naval officer insists that the Stena Impero must be allowed to sail through the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian paramilitary forces demand that the vessel change course before commandeering it.
The audio, released by maritime security risk firm Dryad Global, shows how the British navy was unable to prevent the ship's seizure Friday by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces. The seizure has prompted condemnation from the UK and its European allies as they continue to call for a de-escalation of tensions in the critical waterway.
The free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is of international importance because one-fifth of all global crude exports pass through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman.
In the recording, an Iranian officer can be heard telling the Stena Impero to change course, saying: "You obey, you will be safe."
"Alter your course to 360 degrees immediately, over," the officer says, before saying the ship is wanted for security reasons.
A British naval officer from the HMS Montrose frigate that was patrolling the area around the Strait of Hormuz is heard telling the Stena Impero that its passage must be allowed. British officials say the HMS Montrose was roughly 60 minutes from the scene when the Iranians took control of the tanker, too far away to intervene effectively.
"Sir, I reiterate that as you are conducting transit passage in a recognized international strait, under international law your passage must not be impaired, intruded, obstructed or hampered," the British officer says.
The British officer then tells an Iranian patrol boat: "Please confirm that you are not intending to violate international law by unlawfully attempting to board the MV Stena."
