The photo released on July 21, 2019 shows the British oil tanker "Stena Impero" near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran. (ISNA/Handout via Xinhua)
MOSCOW, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Russian Embassy in Tehran have met with the Russian crew members of the seized British oil tanker "Stena Impero" and confirmed their safety, the embassy said Saturday.
"The Russian diplomats met with our compatriots -- crew members of the detained Stena Impero tanker. The sailors are in good health and they remain on board for now. The embassy maintains close contact with the Iranian partners in regard to when the sailors can return home," the embassy said on Twitter.
The sailors are allowed to contact their families under certain restrictions and are provided with all essentials, said Andrey Ganenko, spokesperson of the embassy.
The British tanker was seized by Iran on July 19 in the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel allegedly violated maritime rules and collided with an Iranian fishing boat, according to Tehran.