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The <keyword id="67372" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="UK-government">UK government</keyword> came under increasing pressure on Friday as its three-tier COVID-19 lockdown faced backlash from some regions, even as Londoners prepared to move into Tier 2 high-risk category from Tier 1 medium level from midnight as part of efforts to control infection rates. <br /><br /> UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused the <keyword id="549865" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="local-authorities">local authorities</keyword> of Greater Manchester in northern England of holding the centre "over a barrel" after the region's mayor, Andy Burnham, refused a third-tier categorisation akin to a complete lockdown without <keyword id="10119564" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="additional-funding-support">additional funding support</keyword> for local businesses. <br /><br /> "Ultimately we need to take action; we can't have a situation as we have seen in Manchester where Andy Burnham is effectively trying to hold the government over a barrel over money and politics," said Raab. <br /><br /> "I would just urge Andy Burnham to do the right thing by the people of Manchester," the minister said. <br /><br /> However, Opposition Labour's Burnham has stood firm that being forced into the third tier without a substantial financial package would be disastrous for the local economy. <br /><br /> "It's not about what we want for ourselves. It's about what we want for low-paid and self-employed people everywhere: fairness," Burnham tweeted in response. <br /><br /> UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to strike a conciliatory tone and said he would "much rather not impose things" but he was "concerned about what's happening in Manchester, where clearly the levels of infection are rising steeply, the levels of hospitalisation are rising steeply and we do need action." <br /><br /> Meanwhile, talks with another local authority, Lancashire, showed more progress as it agreed to be moved into the third tier of a strict lockdown. <br /><br /> The Department of Health and Social Care issued a statement to confirm that Lancashire, in north west England, will join Liverpool in the "very high" COVID-19 alert level from midnight on Friday. <br /><br /> It is understood that local leaders were convinced to accept the new restrictions by a multi-million-pound government support package. <br /><br /> Under the rules, people are banned from socialising with other households both indoors and in private gardens, while bars and pubs are closed unless they can operate as restaurants only. <br /><br /> In addition, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers, betting shops, and soft play areas are expected to close, with decisions on gyms and hair salons taken on a case-by-case basis. <br /><br /> The "rule of six" applies to all gatherings outdoors and people are expected to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level. <br /><br /> Earlier in the week, most of the country was on medium alert in Tier 1, which means subject to the national restrictions currently in force, including the rule of six on indoor and outdoor gatherings and 10 pm closing time for pubs, bars and restaurants. <br /><br /> However, now Tier 2 is the predominant setting with the addition of London, Essex, York, Elmbridge, Chesterfield and north-east Derbyshire among others moving to high alert, which means an additional ban on different households mixing indoors and non-essential travel being discouraged. <br /><br /> The tussle between the centre and local authorities has been ongoing since the three-tier system came in force for England earlier this week. <keyword id="9270125" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-opposition-labour-party">The Opposition Labour Party</keyword> continues to demand a few weeks of a complete "circuit breaker" lockdown and with the different regions of the United Kingdom allowed to set their own lockdown levels, Northern Ireland has opted for the circuit breaker for four weeks from Friday. <br /><br /> Tougher restrictions on movement and gatherings are also in place in Scotland and Wales, which has additionally imposed a travel ban on people entering the region from COVID hotspots of England. <br /><br /> All the changes now mean that millions of people across the UK are under varying forms of lockdown, as a further 18,980 <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> cases and 138 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported across the UK. <br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/dow-jones-ends-lower-for-third-day-as-weak-jobless-claims-stimulus-impasse-weigh-on-sentiment/articleshow/78692395.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"> Dow Jones ends lower for third day as weak jobless claims, stimulus impasse weigh on sentiment</a></strong><b><br /> <br /> <strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hcl-tech-second-quarter-to-see-a-boost-from-cloud-adoption-analysts-expect-it-to-breach-3-5-revenue-growth-guidance/articleshow/78685100.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">HCL Tech's second quarter to see a boost from cloud adoption — analysts expect it to breach 3.5% revenue growth guidance</a></strong><br /> <br /> </b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/border-infrastructure-is-not-the-cause-of-friction-between-india-and-china-says-mea-spokesperson/articleshow/78681546.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"><strong>Border infrastructure is not the cause of friction between India and China, says MEA spokesperson</strong></a><br />

London puts in tighter restrictions as three-tier COVID-19 lockdown faces backlash in some areas

An industry body representing liquor manufacturers has sought government's support to increase exports of alcoholic beverages. In a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister <keyword id="6355222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal">Piyush Goyal</keyword>, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) Director General Vinod Giri said in 2018-19, exports of alcoholic beverages stood at Rs 2,200 crore, while imports were Rs 5,400 crore. <br /><br /> "The data clearly indicates how the trade is balanced against India," he said adding the ministry should not give major duty concessions to regions like the EU as it will aggravate the trade imbalance beyond redemption.
<br /><br />The <keyword id="6355110" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="european-union">European Union</keyword> (EU) wants significant reduction in the import duty under a proposed free trade agreement with India. Negotiations for the pact are stalled since May 2013 as both the sides have failed to address each others' concerns. <br /><br />"We understand that the government may have to reduce customs duty due to other global commitments and considerations. However, in interest of the domestic industry, we urge it to be done in a controlled and sustainable manner," he added.
<br /><br /> Giri suggested that the basic customs duty should be slashed to a level which does not create great competitive disadvantage for Indian companies and reduction should be done in a phased manner.
<br /><br /> He said the duty can be reduced to a maximum 75 per cent in a ten-year period from the current 150 per cent. 
<br /><br /> "To prevent dumping and protect mainstream Indian products against predatory pricing, products below a certain import price (Threshold Import Price) should be taxed," he added.   RR ANU
ANU

Liquor makers seek govt's support to increase exports

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tensions are rising in the Red Sea as the Houthi rebels of Yemen ramp up attacks to pressure Israel.</li><li>The US's national security advisor said the Houthis were being "handed the gun by Iran."</li></ul><p>In response to heightened threats in the Red Sea, the US and UK navies successfully intercepted 15 attack drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/16/us-uk-say-they-shot-down-15-drones-from-yemens-houthis-over-red-sea">Al Jazeera reported</a>.</p><p class="p1">The Houthi rebel movement signaled their intent to press on with attacks in a bid to pressure Israel into a cease-fire with Gaza. The rising tensions add to concerns about Israel's war on Hamas expanding into a regional conflict.</p><p>The US has urged Israel not to escalate <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/french-ship-intercepts-2-drones-launched-rebel-held-port-yemen?r=US&amp;IR=T">maritime warfare with the Houthis</a>.</p><p class="p1">The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/houthi-attacks-soaring-not-just-us-navy-shooting-down-weapons-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">US Central Command</a> reported that its USS Carney, a guided-missile destroyer, neutralized 14 suspected "one-way attack drones" on Saturday.</p><p class="p1">The UK Royal Navy's HMS Diamond joined the effort by deploying a Sea Viper missile, destroying a drone specifically targeting merchant shipping.</p><p>Last week, Business Insider's Jake Epstein reported that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-brags-destroyer-undefeated-against-missiles-drones-middle-east-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">maritime service bragged in a video</a> that the USS Carney was 22-0 against the Houthi rebels in contrast to Saturday's Army-Navy football game, which saw the Black Knights defeat the Midshipmen 17-11.</p><p>Following Saturday's successful defense of the Houthi barrage, it now stands at 36-0 — for those keeping scores.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone swarm attack on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2023/12/17/yemens-houthis-claim-fresh-drone-attacks-at-israeli-targets-in-eilat/">Israeli city of Eilat, referring to the Red Sea resort city</a> as "southern occupied Palestine."</p><p class="p1">The brewing tensions in the Red Sea threaten global trade, as about 12% of the world's trade business passes through the waterway between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.</p><p class="p1">Recent attacks on container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries such as Norway and Liberia have raised concerns about the safety of maritime traffic navigating the waters of the major global-trade artery.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/britain-says-royal-navy-ship-shot-down-attack-drone-over-red-sea/7400815.html">The UK's defense secretary, Grant Shapps</a>, said Houthi attacks on commercial ships represented a "direct threat to international commerce and maritime security." Several major shipping companies have responded by pausing their vessels' journeys through the Red Sea, impacting the timely delivery of goods worldwide.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ics-shipping.org/statement/international-chamber-of-shipping-statement-on-the-red-sea-ship-attacks/">John Stawpert of the International Chamber of Shipping</a> said in a statement that rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope could add significant delays of six to 14 days, turning the situation into a "global trade problem."</p><p class="p1">Concerns about the disruption of trade routes are mounting, and the economic impact is uncertain. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/houthi-attacks-red-sea-raise-fears-shipping-supply-chain-disruptions-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">trade disruptions could slow shipments of oil, grain, and consumer goods</a>.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-hostage-could-be-freed-by-hamas-soon?r=US&amp;IR=T">The US's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan,</a> acknowledged Iran's influence in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-iran-idf-houthi-rebels-hijack-ship-red-sea-2023-11?r=US&amp;IR=T">providing support to the Houthis</a>, telling journalists: "While the Houthis are pulling the trigger, so to speak, they're being handed the gun by Iran."</p>

US Navy fights off barrage of 14 drones in Red Sea fired from Yemen as 'global trade problem' looms

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Experts had questioned the safety of the submersible that went missing near the wreck of the RMS Titanic. </li><li>They said the vessel didn't fall under safety rules by operating in international waters.</li></ul><p>The submersible that went missing near the wreck of the HMS Titanic with five people on board didn't fall under vessel safety rules because it operated in international waters, experts have said. </p><p>An urgent search-and-rescue mission is underway for the submersible, the Titan, owned by tourism company OceanGate. The company charges $250,000 a head for trips to see the wreck around 700 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.</p><p>Time is running out to find the five people on board. Experts believe they only have enough oxygen inside the submersible to last until Thursday afternoon.</p><p>Stefan B. Williams, a professor at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney, told Insider that expeditions such as those launched by OceanGate were able to avoid strict safety regulations.</p><p>"I think it's a relatively nascent industry. I don't think there's a lot of regulations associated with it," he said.</p><p>"I don't know of any specific regulations associated with this sort of deep sea tourism that's starting to emerge. I think it is relatively rare that it's happening and you can see from the reports of the cost associated with getting people onto these vessels that it's an expensive business."</p><p>In comments to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a>, experts reflected that assessment. </p><p>Bart Kemper was one of the signatories of a 2018 letter to OceanGate that highlighted safety concerns around Titan. He told the Times that OceanGate's vessel evaded regulations by being deployed in international waters, where Coast Guard rules don't apply. </p><p>Salvatore Mercogliano, an associate professor of maritime history at Campbell University in North Carolina, told the Times that because the Titan is loaded onto a Canadian boat, then dropped into the ocean in international waters, it didn't have to register with a country or follow rules that apply to many vessels. </p><p>Insider has contacted OceanGate for comment on the claims. </p><p>On Tuesday, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times published</a> a letter sent by The Marine Technology Society, a group of leading experts on submersible technology, to OceanGate discussing urgent fears about the safety of the Titan. </p><p>The experts criticised the "current experimental approach adopted by OceanGate", and urged the company to have the vessel examined by industry regulators and independent groups that assess the safety of submersibles. </p><p>A 1993 US law governs the safety requirements for submersibles carrying passengers. </p><p><a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/maker-lost-titan-submersible-previously-105533646.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a 2019 interview, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush</a>, who is among those missing on the submersible, criticised the law, saying that it was "understandable but illogical," and stifled experiment and innovation. </p><p>In a 2022 CBS report, journalist David Pogue was made to sign a waiver before embarking on a Titanic expedition on the submersible saying that the Titan was an "experimental vessel" that had not been "approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma or death."</p><p>In the report, Rush insisted that submersible travel was safe, yet admitted there were risks involved.</p><p>"You know, there's a limit. You know, at some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, don't get out of bed," he said. </p><p>"Don't get in your car. Don't do anything. At some point, you're going to take some risk, and it really is a risk/reward question. I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules," Rush told the outlet. </p>

The missing Titanic sub fell outside safety rules by operating in international waters beyond the law, experts say

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The UK Department of Transport has ordered all British-flagged vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz to switch to a state of "heightened security," Sky News reported Thursday.</li><li>The alert comes just one day after three Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats attempted to seize the BP oil tanker British Heritage near the Strait of Hormuz.</li><li>The IRGC forces backed down when the Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose positioned itself between the Iranian ships and the tanker, turning its guns on the Iranian forces and ordering them to turn away.</li><li><strong><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></strong></strong></li></ul><p>The British Department for Transport has ordered all British-flagged vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz to switch to a state of "heightened security" as Iran threatens commercial shipping in the key shipping lane, Sky News <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/uk-ships-in-strait-of-hormuz-put-on-heightened-security-11761052">reports</a>, citing British maritime industry sources.</p><p>The department has reportedly sent out a warning urging all British ships in the region to keep a wary eye out for Iranian speedboats and patrol boats "being aggressive towards them."</p><p>The British government has raised the threat level to the highest possible level for merchant ships operating near Iranian waters, The Guardian <a href="https://twitter.com/patrickwintour/status/1149336644895551488">reports</a>. This was <a href="https://twitter.com/LOS_Fisher/status/1149340400005591048">confirmed</a> by The Times.</p><p>The Department of Transport told Sky News that "the Department for Transport, as a competent authority, regularly provides security advice" to UK shipping "on how they should operate in areas of high risk."</p><p>Three IRGC gunboats attempted to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, a UK government spokesman told INSIDER's David Choi, confirming an earlier report by CNN. The Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose escorting the tanker intervened, turning its guns on the Iranian vessels and warning them to back away.</p><p>The Montrose positioned itself between the British commercial vessel, the BP tanker "British Heritage," sending out a helicopter to circle the Iranian boats, which ultimately withdrew.</p><p>Iran denies that its forces took any action against the British tanker.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-gunboats-try-seize-oil-tanker-persian-gulf-uk-frigate-2019-7">Iranian gunboats trying to seize a British oil tanker were scared away by the Royal Navy</a></em></p><p>"We are concerned by this action and continue to urge the Iranian authorities to deescalate the situation in the region," the British government said in a statement.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-heritage-bp-oil-tanker-harassed-scared-iran-target-2019-7">The British oil tanker that Iran confronted with 3 gunboats was a BP ship that worried it was about to be targeted</a></em></p><p>The targeting of the British oil tanker follows the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship allegedly operating in violation of sanctions in the Strait of Gibraltar. An IRGC commander warned Thursday that the US and the UK "will heavily regret their deeds."</p><p>Prior to Wednesday's incident, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Britain that it would face "consequences" for its actions.</p><p>Rising tensions between the UK and Iran come amid rising tensions between Iran and the US, which has been putting increased pressure on Tehran in the wake of a string of attacks on six tankers, attacks Washington blamed on Iran. Iranian forces also shot down a US drone.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-shot-down-one-of-us-militarys-most-advanced-drones-2019-6">Iran just shot down one of the US military's most advanced drones - it costs more than an F-35 stealth fighter</a></em></p>

UK orders 'heightened security' for all British-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran threatens shipping

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/China-Asia-Arms-Buildup/67b3d44be1fa4b8bb5b8f35c8c7e0293/14/0">Uncredited/AP</a></span></p><p class="caption">China's Harbin (112) guided missile destroyer, left, and DDG-139 Ningbo Sovremenny class Type-956EM destroyer, right, take part in a week-long exercise</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>The Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion recently challenged China's excessive claims to the contested South China Sea, reportedly triggering a confrontation with the Chinese military.</strong></li><li><strong>China called the incident a provocation and warned that it would "take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security." </strong></li><li><strong>The Royal Navy argues it was exercising its "rights for freedom of navigation in full compliance with international law."</strong></li></ul><p>Following in the wake of the US Navy, a British warship recently challenged China's excessive claims to the disputed South China Sea, provoking a confrontation with the Chinese military and triggering outrage in Beijing.</p><p>The warship HMS Albion, an amphibious assault ship carrying a contingent of Royal Marines and one of three Royal Navy surface ships deployed to Asian waters this year, was confronted by the Chinese navy - a frigate and two Chinese helicopters - when it sailed close to Chinese-occupied territories in the Paracel Islands in late August, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-china-southchinasea-exclusive/exclusive-british-navy-warship-sails-near-beijing-claimed-south-china-sea-islands-sources-idUSKCN1LM017">reports</a>. <span>The Chinese navy instructed the British vessel to leave the area, and the situation did not escalate further.</span></p><p><span>"HMS Albion exercised her rights for freedom of navigation in full compliance with international law and norms," a spokesman for the British Royal Navy said in response.</span></p><p>Beijing strongly criticized the UK's actions Thursday, calling the recent incident a provocation.</p><p>"<span>The relevant actions by the British ship violated Chinese law and relevant international law and infringed on China's sovereignty," the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement. "China strongly opposes this and has lodged stern representations with the British side to express strong dissatisfaction."</span></p><p><span>"China strongly urges the British side to immediately stop such provocative actions, to avoid harming the broader picture of bilateral relations and regional peace and stability," the ministry added. "China will continue to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security."</span></p><p><span>The US military conducts regular "freedom of navigation" operations in the contested South China Sea, often sending both warships and bombers past contested territories in the area, and Washington has been pressing allies and international partners to push back on Chinese efforts to dominate the strategic waterway.</span></p><p><span>London appears to be answering Washington's call, and China may be particularly upset because it could encourage other states to do the same. </span></p><p><span>Last week, the US Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-japanese-warships-put-on-show-of-force-in-south-china-sea-2018-9">conducted</a> joint military exercises in the South China Sea, putting on a show of force with aircraft carriers and other weapons systems in China's backyard.</span></p><p><span>Gavin Williamson, the British <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> secretary, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/03/uk-sends-strongest-signals-free-navigation-south-china-sea/">stressed</a> in June that the deployment of the HMS Albion and other vessels to the region sends the "strongest of signals" on the importance of freedom of navigation. "We believe that countries should play by the rules," he said in a clear message to China the day after US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis slammed China for "intimidation and coercion" in the South China Sea.</span></p><p><span>Increased pressure by the US and Britain has yet to curb Beijing's ambitions in the waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annually.</span></p><p><span>Over the past year, China has significantly increased its military presence in the region by deploying jamming technology, anti-ship cruise missiles, and surface-to-air missiles at its outposts in the South China Sea. Chinese bombers have also become much more active in the area.</span></p><p><span>The Chinese military, arguing that it is defending Chinese territory, regularly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-warns-foreign-ships-planes-to-steer-clear-of-its-islands-or-pay-2018-7">threatens</a> foreign ships and aircraft that get too close, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/20/australian-warships-challenged-by-chinese-navy-in-south-china-sea">confrontations</a> are not uncommon. Neither the US Navy nor other countries in the flashpoint region have allowed China's threats and warnings to affect their operations.</span></p><p><span>The Chinese Ministry of National Defense <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2163103/china-protests-after-british-warship-sails-close-disputed">said</a> Thursday it will continue to dispatch ships and planes to confront "countries outside the region" that "continue to send warships to the South China Sea to stir up trouble."</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/publishers-clearing-house-1-billion-company-sweepstakes-lawsuit-data-digital-direct-mail-2018-8">How Publishers Clearing House makes $1 billion a year</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

A British warship got involved in a showdown with the Chinese military in the South China Sea

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Cengiz Tokgoz/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">A file photo of the British Heritage oil tanker, seen here in Turkey in March 2019. It was confronted by Iranian gunboats on Wednesday July 10.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Three Iranian gunboats harassed a British oil tanker, and attempted to force it to steer out of international waters into Iranian territory on Wednesday, the UK government said.</strong></li><li><strong>The tanker belongs to BP. According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-08/bp-oil-tanker-shelters-in-persian-gulf-on-fear-of-iran-seizure">Bloomberg</a>, it made the unusual decision to sail home with no cargo on board, part of a plan to avoid Iranian hostility.</strong></li><li>Iran had threatened to target a British tanker after Royal Marines helped seize an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar, which officials say was violating sanctions by shipping oil to Syria.</li><li><strong><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></strong></li></ul><p>The British oil tanker which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-gunboats-try-seize-oil-tanker-persian-gulf-uk-frigate-2019-7">Iran confronted with three gunboats</a> is a BP ship which was worried that it may get caught up in just such a skirmish.</p><p>The ship - the British Heritage - was confronted by Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday.</p><p>According to the UK government, the vessels ordered the British Heritage tanker to change course, leaving the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz in order to enter Iranian waters instead.</p><p>In response, a Royal Navy frigate - HMS Montrose - placed itself between the tanker and the Iranian boats, aimed its weapons at the Iranian, and gave "verbal warnings" for them to leave, the British government said.</p><p>The Iranian vessels then sailed away.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://marinetraffic.com">MarineTraffic.com/Business Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">Map showing approximately where three Iranian vessels harassed the British Heritage oil tanker on July 10, 2019.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>BP confirmed to Business Insider that the British Heritage carries oil for the company, but declined to give further details.</p><p>Business Insider understands that the oil tanker was not carrying any cargo when the IRGC approached it.</p><p>A spokesman for the British oil company told Business Insider: "Our top priority is the safety and security of our crews and vessels. While we are not commenting on these events, we thank the Royal Navy for their support."</p><p>The incident took place when the British Heritage was passing by Abu Musa island off Dubai, Sky News foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes <a href="https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/status/1149224378300882945">reported</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/strait-of-hormuz-explainer-oil-us-iran-tensions-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">How the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water where ships transport $1.2 billion worth of oil every day, is at the heart of spiraling tensions with Iran</a></em></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.marinetraffic.com">Kick van den Dool/MarineTraffic.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">The British Heritage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in April 2018.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>The British Heritage worried that it might get attacked by Iran</h2><p>The British Heritage was behaving cautiously before Wednesday's incident, after Iran made repeated threats to target a British tanker in retaliation for the seizure of one of its own vessels.</p><p>British Royal Marines helped seize an Iran tanker - the Grace 1 - off the coast of Gibraltar, a British territory, on July 4.</p><p>Gibraltar officials say they stopped the ship because it was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions. The incident prompted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to say, <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-iran-britain/rouhani-says-britain-to-face-consequences-for-seizing-iranian-tanker-idUKKCN1U50SY">according to Reuters</a>: "You [Britain] are the initiator of insecurity and you will realise the consequences later."</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iranian-tanker-accused-taking-oil-syria-thousands-miles-detour-gibraltar-2019-7">A seized Iranian tanker took a several-thousand-mile detour around Africa in a possible attempt to sneak a shipment of crude oil to Syria</a></em></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Google Maps/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">Map showing Basrah port in southern Iraq (left), where the British Heritage oil tanker had meant to pick up cargo before deciding not to on July 6; and (right) the approximate location of where three Iranian gunboats harassed the oil tanker on July 10.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>BP had been taking measures to make sure the British Heritage would not be attacked by Iran after the Gibraltar incident, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-08/bp-oil-tanker-shelters-in-persian-gulf-on-fear-of-iran-seizure">according to a Bloomberg report</a> published on Monday.</p><p>According to the report, the British Heritage had been sailing toward Iraq's southern Basrah terminal to pick up cargo, but made an abrupt U-turn on July 6, two days after the Gibraltar incident.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mick Storey/Royal Navy/Handout via Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">British Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose during an exercise off the coast of Oman on March 22, 2005.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>BP declined to comment on Bloomberg's story.</p><p>However, a source close to the company told Business Insider that the British Heritage had been sailing toward Basrah, and did not end up picking up cargo from the Iraqi port.</p><p>A UK government spokesperson <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-gunboats-try-seize-oil-tanker-persian-gulf-uk-frigate-2019-7">told Business Insider's David Choi</a> on Wednesday: "We are concerned by this action and continue to urge the Iranian authorities to de-escalate the situation in the region."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/300-million-world-cup-stadium-is-nearly-abandoned-2018-6">Brazil spent an estimated $300 million on a World Cup stadium that now sits nearly abandoned</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The British oil tanker that Iran confronted with 3 gunboats was a BP ship that worried it was about to be targeted

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Japan-Fleet-Review/754c525e3f434c88aab791be0adfc6a8/22/0">AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye</a></span></p><p class="caption">A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine Wakashio surfaces off the water during a fleet review off Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Japan recently sent a submarine to the South China Sea for military exercises for the first time, the Japanese <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> ministry revealed Monday.</strong></li><li><strong>The attack sub <span>Kuroshio participated in drills alongside three Japanese destroyers, including the Kaga helicopter carrier.</span></strong></li><li><strong><span>The move appears to have angered China, which warned Japan to "act with caution" and avoid damaging regional peace and stability.</span></strong></li></ul><p>A Japanese submarine recently joined up with three destroyers for drills in the disputed South China Sea, marking the first reported deployment of Japanese undersea warfighting assets to the contested region for exercises, Japan's defense ministry revealed Monday.</p><p><span>The Oyashio-class attack submarine Kuroshio <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-southchinasea-submarine/japanese-submarine-conducts-first-drills-in-south-china-sea-idUSKCN1LX07S">participated</a> in exercises with several other Japanese warships, including the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kaga helicopter carrier, last Thursday. The Kaga, which is accompanied by various escort ships and on a two-month tour of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, recently drilled alongside the US Navy in the South China Sea. The Japanese sub practiced hunting enemy submarines in the exercise.</span></p><p>In response to the drills, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang asserted that Beijing "<span>urges the relevant external country to respect the efforts made by regional countries to resolve the South China Sea issue through talks."</span></p><p><span>"Act with caution and don't take any acts that could damage peace and stability in the region," he <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-southchinasea-submarine/japanese-submarine-conducts-first-drills-in-south-china-sea-idUSKCN1LX07S">warned</a>, according to Reuters.</span></p><p><span>Experts perceive Japan's efforts as an attempt to preserve the balance of power in the region as China's military power grows. "It's part of a strategic message that Japan would like to send to China and the countries in the region," Narushige Michishita, an international security studies expert and a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/japanese-submarine-conducted-exercise-in-south-china-sea-last-week-1537158243">told</a> The Wall Street Journal.</span></p><p><span>Given China's interest in enhancing its undersea warfare capabilities, the deployment of strategic underwater assets to the region is considered "very significant."</span></p><p><span>After the completion of the exercises, the Kuroshio visited Vietnam, an unprecedented visit demonstrating Japan's support for one of the South China Sea claimant states at odds with China. Japan does not claim territory in the South China Sea, but it is involved in a rather tense territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.</span></p><p><span>China claims the vast majority of the South China Sea, and has clashed with both other claimant states and foreign ships and planes operating in the area.</span></p><p>The UK Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion recently <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-chinese-military-confronted-a-british-warship-in-south-china-sea-2018-9">found itself in a showdown</a> with the Chinese military - <span>a frigate and two Chinese helicopters -</span> in the South China Sea after it sailed close to Chinese-occupied territories in the Paracel Islands.</p><p>The Chinese military has also <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-threatens-foreign-ships-and-planes-daily-in-south-china-sea-2018-8">issued</a> radio warnings to US Navy ships and aircraft, as well as Philippine military aircraft that fly near Chinese-held territory. Neither the US nor the Philippines have allowed these warnings to impact their operations.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-cbd-oil-how-made-marijuana-cannabis-plant-health-2018-8">What is CBD oil and how did it become a $1 billion industry?</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Japan is staring China down with its first submarine drills in the contested South China Sea

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a meeting in Moscow</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Many of the latest escalations between Iran and the West have been taking place in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that sees $1.2 billion worth of the world's oil flow through it every day.</strong></li><li><strong>On Wednesday, three Iranian gunboats harassed a British oil tanker in the strait, the UK said.</strong></li><li><strong>Iran's foreign ministry spokesman warned on Friday: "Foreign powers should leave the region."</strong></li><li><strong>Iran has threatened to disrupt maritime traffic in the strait multiple times in the past, as doing so could decrease the world's oil supply and send prices shooting up.</strong></li><li><strong>The spokesman also lashed out at Britain was playing a "dangerous game" by seizing an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar last week.</strong></li><li><strong>Nuclear-deal tensions between Iran and the West also remain unresolved.</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></li></ul><p>Iran has told "foreign powers" to leave its surrounding regions and warned that the rapidly-escalating tensions between Tehran and the West are "a dangerous game."</p><p>"Foreign powers should leave the region because Iran and other regional countries are capable of securing the regional security," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told the state-run IRNA news agency on Friday, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker/iran-calls-on-britain-to-immediately-release-its-seized-supertanker-irna-idUSKCN1U70I4">according to Reuters</a>.</p><p>It is not clear what "the region" entails specifically, or who the "other regional countries" are.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://marinetraffic.com">MarineTraffic.com/Business Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">Map showing marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on July 5, 2019.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway to Iran's south, have dramatically escalated in recent weeks.</p><p>Some 21 million barrels of oil exports flow through the strait every day, <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=39932">according to the US Energy Information Administration</a>. That's about one-third of the world's sea-traded oil, or $1.197 billion worth of oil a day, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/oil-price?type=wti">at current oil prices</a>.</p><p>The passage has both internationally- and Iranian-controlled waters.</p><p>Iran has threatened to disrupt maritime traffic in the strait multiple times in the past, as doing so could decrease the world's oil supply and send prices shooting up.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/strait-of-hormuz-explainer-oil-us-iran-tensions-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">How the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water where ships transport $1.2 billion worth of oil every day, is at the heart of spiraling tensions with Iran</a></em></p><p><em><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.marinetraffic.com">Kick van den Dool/MarineTraffic.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">The British Heritage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in April 2018.</p></div><p></p></div></div></em></p><h2>'This is a dangerous game'</h2><p>Three gunboats operated by Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to steer a British oil tanker out of international waters and Iran-controlled waters on Wednesday afternoon, the UK government said.</p><p>But a Royal Navy frigate - HMS Montrose - placed itself between the tanker and the Iranian boats, aimed its weapons, and gave "verbal warnings" for it to leave, the UK said. The Iranian vessels then retreated.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-heritage-bp-oil-tanker-harassed-scared-iran-target-2019-7">The British oil tanker that Iran confronted with 3 gunboats was a BP ship that worried it was about to be targeted</a></em></p><p>The harassment came after the British Royal Marines helped seize an Iranian oil tanker <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-marines-seize-iran-oil-tanker-gibraltar-2019-7">off the coast of Gibraltar</a>, a British territory, on July 4. Officials said the tanker, the Grace 1, was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">FILE PHOTO: Oil supertanker Grace 1 on suspicion of being carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria is seen near Gibraltar</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>In his Friday remarks to IRNA, Mousavi urged the UK to immediately release the Grace 1, and threatened to retaliate.</p><p>"This is a dangerous game and has consequences ... the legal pretexts for the capture are not valid," Mousavi said, according to Reuters. "The release of the tanker is in all countries' interest."</p><p>He also warned of reciprocal measures, but did not specify what they were.</p><p>On June 13, two oil tankers passing through the strait were attacked with mines. The US blamed Iran for the attack, but Tehran has repeatedly denied it.</p><p>A week later, Iran's Revolutionary Guard shot down a US drone in the same area.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Mideast-AP-Explains-Iran-US-Persian-Gulf/db68945a23b2471da3239587d790e662/22/0">Vahid Salemi/AP</a></span></p><p class="caption">Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboat</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>Nuclear tensions still persist</h2><p>Iran's economy is suffering from crippling US sanctions, which came after President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal designed to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.</p><p>Tehran <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-breaches-uranium-stockpile-limit-jcpoa-sunset-clause-2030-2019-7">breached a nuclear-deal limit</a> on its stockpile of uranium, enriched to 3.67%, earlier this month, and has continued to enrich the purity of the stockpile, international monitors said.</p><p>Iran has also threatened to enrich its fuel to weapons-grade levels, with experts saying that it could have enough to produce a weapon in a year.</p><p>European signatories of the nuclear deal have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-demands-iran-reverse-course-as-tehran-skirts-nuclear-deal-2019-7">scrambling to halt</a> Iran's nuclear enrichment, but Tehran has largely ignored them, saying that they haven't helped them circumvent US sanctions well enough.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Michael Gruber/Getty Images; Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images; Samantha Lee/Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Tehran on Sunday gave Europe 60 days to find a new way to help Iran economically, and said it would restart deactivate centrifuges and ramp up uranium enrichment to 20% purity, <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-iran-nuclear/iran-to-cut-nuclear-commitments-strongly-if-europe-does-not-keep-promises-iran-mp-idUKKCN1U61DX">Reuters reported</a>, citing Mojtaba Zolnour, the chairman of parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy commission.</p><p>Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, also said Thursday that his country would not negotiate with the US as long as its sanctions remain, Reuters reported.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/animated-map-where-american-accents-come-from-2018-5">Animated map shows where American accents came from</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

You Searched For "HMS Urge" and got 9 results

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