Iran: Has the "Wild Card been played?" - July 19

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BBC: Iran seizes two UK tankers in Strait of Hormuz
The Stena Impero is British-flagged and the Mesdar is Liberian-flagged but British owned. The Mesdar's operator said the vessel was now free to continue its journey after it was boarded by armed guards at around 17:30 BST on Friday.

The Stena Impero's owners say they have been unable to contact their vessel, which was "heading north towards Iran".

They say there are 23 personnel on board the British-flagged oil tanker and it was approached by "unidentified small crafts and a helicopter".

The Mesdar's Glasgow-based Norbulk Shipping UK said communication had been re-established with the vessel and its crew was "safe and well".

The government's emergency committee, Cobra, is meeting in Whitehall for the second time on Friday to discuss the incident.

Mr Hunt said the seizures were "unacceptable" and the emergency meeting would review what the UK could do to "swiftly secure the release of the two vessels".

"It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region," he added.

UK Foreign Secretary: No British citizens on either ship, seizures unacceptable
From CNN's Nada Bashir

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said a statement he is "extremely concerned" by the seizure of two naval vessels by Iran.

Hunt said there are were no British citizens on board the ships.

The United Kingdom has convened a COBRA meeting on the seized tanker, according to a UK government official. A COBRA meeting consists of British national security officials.

Read Hunt's statement on the seized tankers:

“I’m extremely concerned by the seizure of two naval vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I will shortly attend a COBRA meeting to review what we know and what we can do to swiftly secure the release of the two vessels - a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel.
“Their crews comprise a range of nationalities, but we understand there are no British citizens on board either ship.
“Our Ambassador in Tehran is in contact with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the situation and we are working closely with international partners.
“These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region.”