First crew-member aboard 2 Greek tankers seized by Iran last May reportedly released

The first crew-member serving aboard one of two Greek-flagged tankers seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard forces near the Strait of Hormuz last May 27 was freed and had departed for Greece on Monday.

The released merchant seaman was identified as a chief mate serving aboard the “Delta Poseidon”. The other seized vessel is the “Prudent Warrior”, owned by Polembros Shipping.

According to reports, Iranian authorities will release all of the seafarers aboard the two tankers, who will be replaced by other crews.

In a Tweet directly referring to the development, Greece’s relevant shipping minister, Yannis Plakiotakis, referred to a “long and systematic” effort by Athens to get the merchant seamen released. He also again called the two vessels’ seizure and continued impound by Iran as “illegal”.