Iran requests use of frozen money to purchase $1 billion worth of medical equipment
Posted : 2021-01-07 13:53
Updated : 2021-01-07 13:53
A Korean-flagged tanker which was seized by Iran. is seen in the Gulf, Iran, Jan. 4, 2021. Reuters
Iran made a request to South Korea for the use of its money frozen under U.S. sanctions to purchase $1 billion worth of medical equipment, a diplomatic source has said, stressing Tehran s wish to unlock its massive assets here.
The source mentioned the request amid tensions between Seoul and Tehran over the frozen assets, known to be $7 billion in total, and over this week s seizure of a South Korean-flagged oil tanker on allegations of environmental pollution.
Korean delegation departs for Iran to negotiate release of seized oil tanker
Posted : 2021-01-07 13:57
Updated : 2021-01-07 13:57
Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the foreign ministry s Africa and Middle Eastern affairs, speaks to reporters before departing for Iran at Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. Yonhap
A government delegation left for Iran on Thursday to negotiate an early release of the South Korean oil tanker and its crew seized by Iranian authorities earlier this week.
The delegation, led by Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the foreign ministry s Africa and Middle Eastern affairs, boarded a plane early Thursday and is set to arrive in Iran via Qatar, foreign ministry officials said.
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Home › Shipping News › South Korean Delegation Flies To Iran To Resolve Tanker Seizure Issue
South Korean Delegation Flies To Iran To Resolve Tanker Seizure Issue
January 7, 2021
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In a major development, the South Korean delegation who were supposed to be in Iran on Sunday to discuss the seized tanker issue left for Iran today.
Discussion With All Parties To Resolve the Issue
On Monday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a South Korean tanker Hankuk Chemi citing environmental violations. The tanker was carrying 7200 tonnes of oil chemical products which supposedly breached maritime environmental laws said Iran’sRevolutionary Guards
President Trump then slapped unilateral trade and financial sanctions on Iran.
The US had initially provided South Korea with a waiver to avoid implementing the new sanctions, but those lapsed, essentially forcing Seoul to freeze the Iranian assets.
Iran s move to seize the vessel also coincides with Tehran s announcement that it will increase the level of uranium enrichment at its Fordo nuclear facility to 20%, well above that agreed to with several countries, including the US, until Trump s withdrawal from the deal in 2018. Uranium enriched to 90% is required to fuel nuclear weapons. Iran claims its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.
S. Korean delegation to negotiate with Iran ship seizure
By IANS |
Published on
Wed, Jan 6 2021 17:36 IST |
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Iran s IRGC seizes S.Korean tanker over environmental breach. Image Source: IANS News
Seoul, Jan 6 : A South Korean delegation is set to depart for Iran soon to negotiate the early release of a seized tanker and its crew, officials said on Wednesday.
The delegation, led by Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the South Korean Foreign Ministry s Africa and Middle Eastern affairs, will board a plane around Thursday midnight bound for Tehran via Qatar, Seoul s Foreign Ministry said, Yonhap news agency reported.
Iranian officials were initially negative toward the visit, saying they saw no need for it, but they accepted it later after consultations with Seoul.