TEHRAN – An official at Iran’s Ports and Sailing Organization announced on Wednesday that a Maersk ship was arrested in the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic because of some unpaid debt.

The company Maersk Line owes some money to Iran and a court has ruled that the tanker company should pay the debt, according to Hadi Haqshenas, the Fars news agency reported.

Iranian patrol vessels on Tuesday fired warning shots and ordered the ship to sail further into Iranian waters when it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The tanker was travelling with the flag of the Marshall Islands.

Haqshenas said that a complaint by the Ports and Sailing Organization was followed by a court rule on March 16 that ordered Maersk Line to settle the debt.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that the arrest was carried out according to the regulations of the Islamic Republic and in keeping with internationally common procedures.

Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham stated that the ship has been taken to Shahid Bahonar Port at the Strait of Hormuz and its crew of 24 is safe and in good condition.

SP/PA