THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said the Iranian government has not made any commitment regarding the release of 18 Filipino crew members of an oil tanker seized in the Gulf of Oman last week.
“We have not heard any commitment from Iran on this. They haven’t said anything yet. But based on past experiences when Iran seized a vessel with Filipino crew members, they usually release them,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said.
De Vega though said the Iranian ambassador in Manila has assured support to Manila’s call for the release and safe repatriation of the Filipino crew members of the oil tanker St. Nikolas.
“The Iranian ambassador here promises to support us,” he said, adding the Philippine Embassy in Teheran has requested a visit to the Filipino crew members to know their condition and any assistance they need.
Iran seized the Marshall island-flagged oil tanker St Nikolas last week close to the Omani port of Sohar and ordered it to sail to the nearest Iranian port.
Iranian state media reported that the seizure was in retaliation to the confiscation of oil by US authorities last year amid sanctions imposed at that time. — Ashzel Hachero
