Rouhani: Britain to face 'consequences' for seizing Iranian tanker

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Britain would face “consequences” over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker.

"You (Britain) are the initiator of insecurity and you will realize the consequences later," the Iranian president said after a cabinet meeting, in remarks carried by state television.

"Now you are so hopeless that, when one of your tankers wants to move in the region, you have to bring your frigates (to escort it) because you are scared. Then why do you commit such acts (seizure)? You should instead allow navigation to be safe," Reuters cited him as saying.

The head of state also said Iran’s decision to increase uranium enrichment would produce fuel for power plants and serve other peaceful aims, and that it was within the framework of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

"You (Europeans) do not need to worry about Iran, your concern must be over the United States, which has violated this whole commitment and undermined international obligations," Rouhani concluded.