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Britain warns Iran of "serious consequences" if tanker not released

LONDON, July 19 (KUNA) -- British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned Iran against "serious consequences" of Tehran did not release a British oil tanker it help near the Strait of Hormuz earlier Friday.
Hunt, in a statement to Sky News, said Britain would respond in an "appropriate and decisive" manner if the tanker was not released.
He said he was not talking about military action but Britain was considering diplomatic options so solve this matter as quick as possible.
Hunt said he spoke on phone with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo but could not connect the same call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif because he was on a flight.
Hunt earlier deemed the Iranian holding of the tanker as "unacceptable," and said it was essential that freedom of navigation was maintained so all ships could move safely and freely in the region.
Iran said the British oil tanker seized by the Iranian navy at the Strait of Hormuz turned off its tracker and went to the opposite direction. (pickup previous) mrn.bs