Calling the UK’s seizure of the Iranian supertanker "an act of evil," the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatened to retaliate.
In a televised speech on Tuesday Khamenei said, "God willing, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not let UK's act of piracy to be left without an answer."
He added, "The Great Evil, Britain, committed piracy, and tries to make it appears a legal act. Islamic Republic of Iran and its devoted forces will not leave such an evil act without answer."
On Thursday, July 4 British Royal Marines seized an Iranian supertanker, while passing through Strait of Gibraltar. It is believed that the Iranian ship was carrying oil to Syria, which is in violation of Europe’s sanctions.
Grace 1 supertanker was possibly transferring more than 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil to the Baniyas refinery in Syria.
Other Iranians officials and diplomats have been calling on UK to release the Iranian tanker, using similar threatening language.
