Iran says Britain to release Iranian oil tanker 'soon'

TEHRAN -- Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization announced Tuesday that Britain is expected to release the confiscated Iranian oil tanker soon, state TV reported.

The authorities of the two sides have exchanged documents to pave the way for the release of the Iranian vessel, Jalil Eslami, the organization's deputy head, was quoted as saying.

London had shown willingness to resolve the dispute, Eslami said.

"We hope the problem will be resolved in the near future and the ship can continue sailing with the flag of Iran," he added.

On July 4, British Royal Marines in the Strait of Gibraltar seized Iranian oil tanker Grace 1, which, it said, was heading to Syria "in breach of EU sanctions." Iran denied that the tanker was heading to Syria.

On July 19, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps seized the British oil tanker "Stena Impero" in the Strait of Hormuz for what it called "failing to respect the international maritime rules while passing through the strait."