Farsi-language Twitter accounts of at least three Iranian news agencies and semi-official news outlets were blocked soon after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The Twitter accounts of the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the semi-official Mehr News agency and the Young Journalists Club (YJC) news outlet were suspended by the social media platform after violating the rules. According to the English edition of Mehr News, the two agency’s accounts were allegedly blocked for unknown reasons.
Twitter users have also noted that the IRNA and the YJC accounts have been suspended as well.
Twitter has not made a statement explaining why they have decided to suspend the accounts.
On Friday, the British oil tanker was seized in the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC after allegedly violating maritime rules.
However, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the seizure was “unacceptable”.
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He said: “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.”
The seizure happened amid escalating UK-Iranian tensions following the seizure of an Iranian supertanker by the UK near Gibraltar.
The vessel was suspected of carrying a cargo of crude oil destined for a Syrian refinery – a move which would violate EU sanctions.
The ship’s captain, chief officer and two second officers were arrested and bailed.
Defence Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, has defended the decision to send a third warship to the Gulf, and has stated it is “vital we send a very clear message” to Tehran following a strain in diplomatic relations.