PH asks Iran to release 18 Filipinos aboard seized oil tanker

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo has asked the Iranian government to release the 18 Filipino crew of the oil tanker that was seized in the Gulf of Oman earlier this month.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Manalo said he made the request during his meeting with Mohammad Mokhber, 1st Vice President of Iran, on the sidelines of Non-Aligned Movement Summit 2024 in Uganda.

"We had a candid exchange on geopolitical issues and the safety & welfare of PH seafarers. We also noted the potential to grow PH-Iran trade relations," Manalo said.

"I likewise asked for the release of the 18 PH seafarers currently aboard the detained ST Nikolas, and requested that Iran continue to grant consular access to our Embassy in Tehran, and allow regular contact between the seafarers and their families back home," he added.

Iran on January 11 seized the oil tanker St. Nikolas carrying 145,000 tons of oil from Iraq and heading toward Turkey. 

Iran said it was retaliating for the "theft" of its oil from the same tanker — which at the time was called the Suez Rajan — last year by the United States.

Washington has condemned an "unlawful seizure" and demanded that Iran "immediately release the ship and its crew." —KBK, GMA Integrated News