OREANDA-NEWS. Russia is closely monitoring the situation around the alleged incident with a British tanker in the Persian Gulf and Iranian boats. This was on Thursday told reporters the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov. “We carefully monitor the flow of information about what is happening in the Persian Gulf”, he said. “We have recorded the information that allegedly such an incident took place. We also recorded the statement of the Iranian representatives that this information is not true”, the spokesman added.

“Whatever the cause of what happened, we must ensure the safety and freedom of the maritime trade in this region. This is extremely important for the global economy and for the global economic situation”,said Peskov. Ensuring safe transport activities in these waters is incredibly important for both the economy of this region and global economic stability.

On Wednesday, CNN, citing sources in the US administration, reported that five boats that could belong to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to stop a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. According to their data, the tanker left the Persian Gulf when the boats approached it. The crew was ordered to change course and stop in the territorial waters of Iran. The tanker, according to CNN, was accompanied by the British naval frigate Montrose. His crew insisted that the alleged Iranian servicemen immediately turn around and miss the ship, which they did.

As Reuters reported on Thursday, the UK Ministry of Defense confirmed that Iranian boats were trying to stop a British merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the ministry, three Iranian boats, not five, participated in the incident.