Iran is yet to decide on India’s claims that the detained oil tanker had caused no oil pollution in the Gulf of Persia while on its way back carrying crude from Basra in Iraq.
There is no change in the status, Shipping Corporation of India(SCI) Chairman-cum-Managing Director B.K. Mandal told The Hindu over telephone from Mumbai on Monday, about the oil tanker belonging to the SCI now detained for almost a fortnight at the Bandar Abbas Port. MT Desh Shanti, a 1.4 lakh tonne oil tanker, was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on the allegation that it had caused pollution in its waters.
Mr. Mandal said the SCI team after investigation refuted the allegation but the Iranian authorities had not responded to the Indian appeal. They have not accepted the investigation report submitted by the Indian side, he maintained but was hopeful of Iran releasing the detained vessel, which is manned by 32 personnel, soon. Apart from External Affairs Ministry, SCI officials too have called upon the Iran Embassy to impress upon its government to give a clean chit to the oil tanker and clear it for its return journey to India.
