A Royal Navy warship tried to stop Iran from seizing a British tanker, leaked audio reveals.

MSN.com ^ | July 21, 2019 | Liz Sly, William Booth

[Diogenesis]

why did not HRM magician's assistant make a chant?

[RaginRak]

Royal Navy ain’t what it used to be

[ChildOfThe60s]

I don’t think it qualifies as much of a warship.

[bramps]

I see zero facts in the story that backs up the headline that a warship tried to do anything to stop the tanker from being taken.

[RedMonqey]

It said “Stop”
and if the Iranians didn’t stop, it was forced to say stop again.

In europe this is ‘deterrence’

[Chainmail]

Lessee: the top speed of a Royal Navy frigate in proper trim should be about 30 plus knots and the top speed of a supertankers is what - maybe 20 knots? Why didn’t the British frigate attempt to overtake and recapture the tanker?

[robowombat]

The British officer then addresses the Iranian: “Please confirm that you are not intending to violate international law by unlawfully attempting to board the MV Stena.”

This reads like a Monty Python send up. This is the Royal Navy that not so long ago endured missile attacks and air raids and hung in there in the Falklands.

[MCF]

it seems rather rude of the Iranians to seize that ship. After all, the British officer did say “please”.

[AndyJackson]

The priority now, Ellwood said, must be to “de-escalate tensions” with Tehran

Our priority should be to get the tanker and crew back with costs and reparations. Tell Terhran to make a very good offer because if it is not accepted, the costs are going to skyrocket very very rapidly.

[Midwesterner53]

Fascist Britain has no teeth. The Iranians know there will be no blow back from this seizure.

[dp0622]

Worked well against hitler :)

[Capt. Tom]

it seems rather rude of the Iranians to seize that ship. After all, the British officer did say “please”.

That's a new ship they should get it back. - Tom

Flag: United Kingdom [GB]- AIS Vessel Type: Tanker - Hazard B -Gross Tonnage: 29579- Deadweight: 49683 t - Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 183m × 32m - Year Built: 2018- Status: Active R

[butlerweave]

Maybe PM May told the Navy to stop ? She is an Idiot after all

[Truth29]

How pathetic. Maybe they should have offered the Iranians tea.

[Billthedrill]

The Iranian ship was seized at Gibraltar carrying munitions to Syria in contravention of EU sanctions. The UK is still an EU member. Has the EU bothered even to make a statement on the matter? Well, yes, but not much. The EU has been rather uncooperative in sanctioning Iran over her nuclear program, attempting to save the deal that Trump pulled out of. This "would undermine" that. Strong words.

Frankly I'd let the EU figure this one out and see how they manage the thing. Meanwhile we have all sorts of intel we'll be sharing with the Brits. I hear they have this service, this air service or something that's really special...

[VanDeKoik]

Falklands fidgets nervously

[rlmorel]

"...In London, British Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood pushed the criticism aside. The priority now, Ellwood said, must be to “de-escalate tensions” with Tehran after Iranian forces..."

Wow. That is quite the statement from someone who claims to be a Minister of Defense. Soft women, or Ball-less Eunichs now run the show.

Margaret Thatcher must be spinning in her grave, while Neville Chamberlain must be sitting upright in HIS grave saying "Did someone mention my name???"

Shameful. Shameful.

[PGR88]

Now it’s time for a sternly written letter

[allendale]

Its obvious that the Royal Navy does not have enough ships to escort all the British flagged or British owned vessels in the Gulf. They could however station rotating Royal Marines on the tankers to dissuade attempts to seize them. That assumes of course that Britain is willing to defend its interests and property.