DUBAI, July 21 (Reuters) - Oman urged Iran on Sunday torelease the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero, which it seizedon Friday, and said it was in contact with all concerned toensure the safety of commercial vessels.
Oman also called on all parties to exercise restraint andresolve differences diplomatically, Oman's foreign ministry saidon Twitter.
"The Sultanate (of Oman) is in contact with all parties toensure safe passage of commercial vessels crossing the (Hormuz)Strait, while preserving its right to its own territorialwaters," the ministry statement said.
In a letter to the U.N. Security Council, Britain said theStena Impero was approached by Iranian forces when it was inOmani territorial waters exercising its lawful right of passage,and the action "constitutes illegal interference".
Britain on Saturday denounced Iran's seizure of the tankeras a "hostile act" and rejected Tehran's explanation that itseized the vessel because it had been involved in an accident.(Reporting by Asma Sharif and Lisa Barrington; editing by JohnStonestreet and Louise Heavens)