Iran links tanker row to ailing nuclear deal

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when US President Trump pulled out of an accord aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program, and imposed punishing sanctions – AFP

VIENNA, AFP: Iran said Sunday it considered Britain’s seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement. 

British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. 

On 19 July, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move. 

Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA,” Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV. 

“Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil,” he added. 

Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough. 

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program and imposed punishing sanctions.