Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that it breached the maritime border and seized a vessel registered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week and detained its crew members. The same day the UAE Coast Guard killed two Iranian fishermen and seized their boats. The relations between the two Gulf countries have been tense since the UAE’s agreement with Israel last week. Iran’s state television, quoting a State Department statement, said that after the incident, Iran summoned the in-charge of the UAE embassy in Tehran and demanded the release of the boats and fishermen.
According to the statement, “Because of Iran’s efforts, UAE officials in a note on Wednesday deeply regretted the incident and announced to make up for all the losses”. Iran’s yacht and its crew members have been released while the legal process of handing over the bodies is underway. On Monday, UAE’s official news agency WAM reported that the maritime waters northwest of Sir Bu Nou Ayer Island The Coast Guard tried to intercept eight fishing boats in violation of the border. But there was no news of anyone being killed or the boat seized.
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