Tehran, April 23 -- Panama strongly condemned Iran's seizure of "MSC Francesca", calling the seizure of a vessel sailing under its flag "illegal." In a statement, Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ship is Italian-owned but registered under the Panamanian flag.

"The ship was transiting the Strait of Hormuz when it was seized and forcibly taken to Iranian territorial waters," the ministry said.

The ministry further warned that Iran's actions pose "a serious threat to maritime security" and said the incident was "an unnecessary escalation at a time when the international community is advocating for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to international navigation without threats or blackmail of any kind."

Iran's Islamic Revoluti...