UK Iran Policy in Hunt’s Tenure ‘Abject Failure

“During Foreign Secy Hunt's tenure, the UK’s Iran policy was an abject failure; increasing tension and culminating in confrontation in the Persian Gulf after the UK's illegal confiscation of Iranian oil,” Baeidinejad said on his Twitter account on Saturday. 

“Major efforts needed to de-escalate, and to move toward better understanding,” he added in his tweet.

In another tweet, the diplomat said, “Mr. Hunt also wasn’t able to help Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe's release, as he confused his role as a diplomat with that of a politician whose rhetoric is designed to satisfy the public. Had he continued the diplomacy his predecessor started, her case might’ve been resolved.”

The remarks came amid renewed tensions in the Persian Gulf where Iran has refused to release a British tanker since it was seized on July 19 for violation of maritime rules.

The incident came two weeks after British marine forces boarded a supertanker laden with Iranian oil near the coast of Gibraltar.

The British Royal Marines seized the giant Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 for trying to take oil to Syria allegedly in violation of EU sanctions.

Tehran maintains that the supertanker was not bound for Syria and its seizure has taken place at the behest of the US.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the British envoy to Tehran several times since the capture in protest at the UK navy’s move.

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