Vietnamese Vice Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the comment while confirming that Iran seized a Vietnamese–flagged oil tanker last month and briefed about its status during a regular press conference today (Nov 4).

Hang said right after the presence of information over the tanker, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has contacted the Iranian embassy in Hanoi, while the Vietnamese embassy in Iran reached the country’s authority to discuss the fate of it.

“On Oct 27, the tanker’s captain informed Vietnamese Embassy in Iran that all 26 crew members were treated well and in normal health condition”, Hang stated.

Besides, the MoFA has contacted the Ministry of Transport to verify the crew’s identity and required the shipowner to guarantee the rights and interests of Vietnamese laborers overseas.

Hang also affirmed that MoFA and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran will keep track of the issue and at the same time conduct necessary moves to protect Vietnamese citizens’ legitimate and legal rights.

Earlier, the Associated Press (AP) cited two US officials saying that Iran has seized a Vietnamese flagged-oil tanker in Oman Gulf since last month and still holds the vessel.