Iran said on May 6 that a legal settlement could be reached with days over its seizure of the Marshall-Islands flagged Maersk Tigris container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Maersk Tigris was diverted on April 28 by Iranian patrol boats in one of the world's major oil shipping lanes, prompting the United States to send vessels to monitor the situation and to accompany U.S.-flagged vessels passing through the strait.
Danish shipping giant Maersk has insisted on the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members. Iran says the Maersk Tigris would only be let go after a years-old debt case is settled.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on May 6 that the negotiations between the private parties involved in the case could be resolved “in a day or two.”
Maersk chartered the ship, which is owned by undisclosed private investors.