Unable to fight a 'close game', Britain takes the initiative to cool down tensions with Iran

This is considered a move to proactively cool down tensions between the UK and Iran, and is also considered a wise choice to proactively get out of the "mess" related to the US and Iran.

He can't "fight to the death"

After reports emerged that three Iranian vessels attempted to seize the British oil tanker Heritage in the Strait of Hormuz - although Iran strongly denied the accusation - British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called on both sides to exercise restraint because the UK did not want to escalate tensions with Iran.

In the latest announcement, Mr. Jeremy Hunt proactively proposed to release the Iranian ship Grace 1 that the UK had previously seized in coordination with Gibraltar to demonstrate the UK's goodwill in resolving the tense situation with Iran.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt proposed releasing the Iranian ship Grace 1. Photo: Reuters

Analysts say that Mr. Jeremy Hunt's decision to release the ship if Iran guarantees that Grace 1 does not violate EU sanctions related to Syria is also very wise.

First, provided that Grace 1 does not violate the EU ban, it will almost certainly be released, because Iran has always denied from the beginning that Grace 1 was carrying oil to Syria.

Second, by emphasizing that the UK’s interest is in Syria rather than the source of Iranian oil, Jeremy Hunt is trying to establish a distinction between the UK and US policy approaches, as the UK understands that Iran will not accept being subject to EU sanctions over Syria. This statement also demonstrates the UK’s desire to stay away from the recent spiral of tensions in the Gulf with the two main “players” being the US and Iran.

Before the British Foreign Secretary spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, the UK announced that it would send a second warship, HMS Duncan, to the Gulf to join HMS Montrose in ensuring freedom of navigation in the area. The UK's announcement added fuel to the fire, causing public concern about the possibility of a military conflict between the UK and Iran.

However, the conciliatory move of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt later showed that the British statement was just a "move" to preserve its image.

According to analysts, in reality, Britain does not have enough resources to “play a close game” with Iran in this area where Iran has complete control. Iran has warned that the seizure of the British ship is only a matter of time if Britain does not immediately release the Grace 1.

Iranian tanker Grace 1 was seized on suspicion of carrying oil to Syria. Photo: AFP

The fact that the British ship Heritage was surrounded by Iranian ships, and was only rescued after the HMS Montrose appeared - although there is no official confirmation - shows that Iran "talks and walks".

Meanwhile, British officials have admitted that they do not have enough resources to protect all of the approximately 50 large oil tankers operating in the area.

British tankers in the Gulf will be extremely uneasy if tensions with Iran are not resolved, and the UK's raising of the alert level to the highest for tankers in the Gulf shows that being seized by Iranian vessels is a real risk.

“Between Two Waters”

Ever since the UK decided to support Gibraltar in seizing the Iranian tanker Grace 1, there have been mixed opinions within the UK about the need to take this step, not only because of concerns about Iran's retaliation against British oil tankers, but also because of the impact on the UK's role in working with partners to maintain the Iran nuclear deal.

Although British officials have insisted that there is no link between ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 group, the two issues are in fact closely linked.

Any action against Iran in the Gulf will be met with an immediate and harsh response from Iran, with the aim of pressuring all parties to maintain the Iran nuclear deal in a way that ensures the interests of this country. And Britain is certainly no exception.

By seizing the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1, Britain wants to project the image of a responsible country in upholding international law, including complying with EU sanctions imposed on Syria.

However, some experts also realized that the UK's move was under great pressure from the US - a country that is trying to strangle Iran's economy with sanctions targeting its oil industry.

Britain's compliance with US calculations may stem from its own fragility, from its fear of isolation while in the process of severing its membership in the EU.

This assessment is even more valid if we consider the fact that the seizure of the Grace 1 has very little effect on Syria's oil supply, because the country can completely import oil from Russia - a country that both the US and Europe must consider very carefully before "touching".

British destroyer HMS Montrose on duty in the Gulf. Photo: Getty

Meanwhile, seizing the Iranian ship first could leave Britain locked in a protracted legal battle, while British tankers would fall victim to Iranian retaliation.

Although Britain is expected to hold high-level talks with the US on plans to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the Gulf, Britain is concerned that differences in policy towards Iran will drag countries that do not seek a confrontation with Iran into the vortex of tensions - including Britain.

Once Britain and Iran are pushed into an uncompromising confrontation, the chances of Britain joining the effort to maintain the Iran nuclear deal will be almost zero. By then, the image of a frontline country in maintaining sanctions on Syria will not be enough to “save” Britain from the scandal of contributing to the destruction of the historic Iran nuclear deal.

Therefore, proactively proposing to release the Iranian oil tanker is considered a wise choice by the UK to get out of the "mess" they got into after a careless calculation.