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Trump says 'Iran is in big trouble' after revelation that it seized TWO British tankersTrump says 'Iran is in big trouble' after revelation that it seized TWO British tankers in the Persian Gulf as major tensions escalate between Tehran and Washington Trump says Iran is in 'big trouble' and warns that the U.S. has lots of warships The nation's military seized two UK-registered oil tanker ships in the Persian Gulf The Stena Impero was ordered to turn to the north by Iranian forces, who also took over the British-operated Mesdar UK officials said they lost contact with the 23 crew following the incident Trump says Britain's crisis will be resolved thanks to a longstanding but unwritten mutual defense agreement with the United States By DAVID MARTOSKO, U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and DARREN BOYLE FOR MAILONLINE and WIRES PUBLISHED: 16:37 EDT, 19 July 2019 | UPDATED: 17:28 EDT, 19 July 2019 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7266349/Trump-says-Iran-big-trouble-seized-TWO-British-tankers-Persian-Gulf.html President Donald Trump said Friday that the Islamic Republicn of Iran has endangered itself by seizing a pair of British oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. 'Iran is showing their true colors,' he told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House has he departed for a weekend in New Jersey. 'Iran is in big trouble.' The president warned that although the U.S. doesn't have many tankers in the Gulf because it is trending toward energy independence, 'we have a lot of ships there that are warships.' He predicted the situation 'is going to work out very nicely,' in part because of an informal but 'longstanding' U.S.-UK mutual defense agreement. 'We have no written agreement, but we have an agreement,' Trump said of Britain. 'They've been a very great ally of ours. ... We'll be working with the U.K. They'll have a new prime minister soon, which is a good thing.' Trump says Iran is 'nothing but trouble' after UK ship is seized President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran 'is in big trouble' following news that it seized a pair of British oil tankers in the Persian Gulf The Stena Impero oil tanker has been seized by Iranian authorities while passing through the Strait of Hormuz this evening +14 The Stena Impero oil tanker has been seized by Iranian authorities while passing through the Strait of Hormuz this evening The president warned that although the U.S. doesn't have many tankers in the Gulf because it is trending toward energy independence, 'we have a lot of ships there that are warships' +14 The president warned that although the U.S. doesn't have many tankers in the Gulf because it is trending toward energy independence, 'we have a lot of ships there that are warships' The president gloated that Iran's belligerence is a sign he was right to distrust Tehran's mullahs in the way his predecessor did, regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. 'This only goes to show what I'm saying about Iran. Trouble, nothing but trouble,' he said. 'And remember this, the agreement, the ridiculous agreement made by President Obama, expires in a very short period of time. 'It was a short term agreement. When you're dealing in countries, you have to deal in 50 years and 100 years.' The president's statement came as tensions in the region increase dramatically. The first vessel, the Stena Impero, was surrounded by heavily-armed Iranian vessels and a helicopter around 4pm and ordered to turn north. The second vessel, the Mesdar, was ordered by Iran to turn north around 45 minutes later. Theresa May is chairing an emergency meeting of the COBRA committee at Number 10, which will be attended by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is currently battling with his predecessor Boris Johnson to replace Mrs May as Prime Minister. The Stena Impero was surrounded by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and ordered to head north. The British registered vessel switched off its maritime tracker a short time later. A second British vessel, Medsar, abruptly changed course towards Iran about 45 minutes later +14 The Stena Impero was surrounded by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and ordered to head north. The British registered vessel switched off its maritime tracker a short time later. A second British vessel, Medsar, abruptly changed course towards Iran about 45 minutes later The Iranian Revolutionary Guard uses a large number of high-speed small vessels to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The regime launched these 'ultra-fast' boats in 2010 +14 The Iranian Revolutionary Guard uses a large number of high-speed small vessels to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The regime launched these 'ultra-fast' boats in 2010 Mr Hunt said: 'I will shortly attend a COBR meeting to review what we know and what we can do to swiftly secure the release of the two vessels - a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel. 'Their crews comprise a range of nationalities, but we understand there are no British citizens on board either ship. 'Our ambassador in Tehran is in contact with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the situation and we are working closely with international partners. 'These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region.' Iranian authorities have yet to comment on the Mesdar, but marine tracking data showed it turning dramatically off course and towards the Iranian coast. |
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