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Iran released the South Korean tanker after three months

A Foreign Ministry source in Seoul said that in return efforts would be made to thaw the $ 7 billion worth of Iranian assets held in the country's banks due to US sanctions.

Iran has denied taking control of the ship, which was carrying chemicals, to blackmail South Korea over the issue

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• Iran

• South Korea

Reuters

Friday, 09 April 2021, 09:57 Updated: 10:29

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In video: Iran takes over South Korean ship in Gulf (Photo: Reuters)

Iran today (Friday) released the South Korean tanker and its captain after three months, and in return promised Seoul to act to thaw Iranian funds held in South Korean banks due to US sanctions, a South Korean source said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ship was released after the end of the investigation and at the request of the shipowners and the South Korean government.

The Revolutionary Guards took control of the HANKUK CHEMI tanker in January, which carried chemicals in the Straits of Hormuz, claiming it was polluting the water.

"Iran, with long beaches along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman, emphasizes its full commitment to maritime regulations, including environmental protection, and it oversees any breach in this regard," said Said Khatibzadeh, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman.

He added that the captain of the ship was released after authorities took into account that he had no history of other violations in the area.

The seizure of the ship caused diplomatic controversy, after Iran demanded that South Korea thaw the $ 7 billion held in its banks under US sanctions.

Tehran agreed in February to release all 20 crew members of the ship, except for its captain, following a visit by the South Korean deputy foreign minister.

Iranian vessels accompany South Korean ship, January (Photo: Reuters)

A Foreign Ministry source in Seoul told reporters that both sides agreed that the ship and the funds were unrelated, and that South Korea had promised to work for their release.

"We have resolutely expressed our desire to resolve the issue of funds," said the source, who spoke anonymously.

An official statement from South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the ship had left Iran after the administrative process was completed, without mentioning Tehran's demand to release its funds.

"The condition of the captain and sailors is good," it was reported.

South Korea has denied that the tanker caused environmental pollution, and a Foreign Ministry source said Iran had backed it with the intention of taking criminal action against the shipping company.

Iran denies taking control of the tanker and its crew is tantamount to taking hostages, and accuses South Korea of ​​holding its money hostage.

Iranian funds were frozen after former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2018 nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

Under President Joe Biden's new administration in Washington, the parties resumed talks on a return to the agreement, and this week even progress was reported on indirect negotiations in Vienna.

The South Korean source said that the United States had recently agreed that Iran would use its frozen assets for non-military purposes, and that it had acquired corona virus vaccines through them through the global initiative COVAX.

He did not specify the exact amount.

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