(NCRI), and the (PMOI / MEK Iran): the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a South Korean-flagged tanker in the Strait.

Last week, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), hijacked a South Korean-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz so the regime could put pressure on the South Korean government to release 7 billion dollars in Iranian assets that have been frozen due to US sanctions.

Extortion tactic

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) reported that Tehran is trying to negotiate with South Korea and the IRGC and others are threatening to harm the ship’s sailors which will jeopardize the future security of international shipping unless the South Korean government doesn’t do what it is told to.

This sort of strategy is completely unacceptable and the international community should be recognizing this and opposing it. Fortunately, there are some internationalists who are now treating Iran’s motives with suspicion.

EU must hold the mullahs’ regime accountable

At this time it is simply not enough, but it seems the European Union will go on promoting friendly discourse with Iranian government officials, like President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, while at the same time refusing to hold them accountable for the actions of the IRGC.

Talks between Iranian officials and a visiting South Korean delegation began a few days ago after the tanker was hijacked. So far, the South Koreans have no idea how difficult the regime is when it comes to negotiating any agreement.

(NCRI), and the (PMOI / MEK Iran): Is Europe Becoming Savvier About Iran.

Blackmail tactic

If South Korea does agree to release Iranian assets, that decision may not turn out to be a particularly good one.

Agreeing to any demands made by the regime with South Korea could be devastating in the long run, not just for South Korea, but for any shipping transiting this area.

There would likely be more seizures in the Strait of Hormuz, more arrests of foreign and dual nationals within Iran, and worse still even more violations of the nuclear deal that the whole regime publicly agrees to, even though the hardliners always seem to act alone in making new demands before sending the moderates to negotiate for them.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) reported that Iran had started to enrich uranium to 20% at its Fordow nuclear site before the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last Monday illegally hijacked a South Korean ship in the Persian Gulf.

MEK Iran (follow them on Twitter and Facebook)

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube