Unic Press UK: The Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani has reached out to the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, expressing hope that both countries would build a much stronger relationship under Johnson’s premiership.
An open letter, which is published on the official website of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, reads:
“In the Name of God, Your Excellency Mr Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I would like to offer my congratulations to Your Excellency on your election as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
I hope that Your Excellency’s familiarity with relations between Iran and the United Kingdom, and your only one visit to Tehran greatly contribute to removing the existing obstacles on the path of development of relations between the two countries, and we witness further deepening of bilateral and multilateral relations during your tenure as the Prime Minister.
I wish Your Excellency health and success.”
Early this month, an Iranian oil tanker – a 330 metre (1,000 feet) Grace 1 vessel – was seized/impounded by British forces in the Strait of Gibraltar over alleged violation of EU sanctions as the vessel is alleged to be heading to Syria with oil. This ship has yet to be released.
In a suspected retaliatory measure, Iran seized a British-flagged oil tanker, Stena Impero, with 23 crew members, on 19 July. This ship remains in custody of the Iranian authorities.
