This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 20th, 2019

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday (July 19) they had captured a British-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf after Britain seized an Iranian vessel this month, ratcheting up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. Britain said it was urgently seeking information about the Stena Impero after the tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia, suddenly changed course after passing through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. A second tanker, the British-operated Mesdar, also made a sharp change of direction in the Gulf around the same time. But the Guards made no mention of a second vessel. Relations between Iran and the West have become increasingly tense since British naval forces seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions.

Iranian forces: Seized British-flagged oil tanker in Gulf

In an exclusive conversation with WION, the British High Commission to India has said that UK has been deeply concerned over Iran's action in the Persian Gulf. The High Commission said that UK ships have been advised to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz for an interim period. This is after Iran seized British oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Watch this video to know more.

WION Exclusive: UK ships advised to avoid Strait of Hormuz

Britain said Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf on Friday (July 19) and told Tehran to return the vessels or face consequences in the latest confrontation to ratchet up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had captured the British-flagged Stena Impero, announcing the move two weeks after the British navy seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the second vessel, the British-operated Mesdar, had not been seized. It said the ship had been allowed to continue its course after being given a warning over safety and environmental issues.

Iran had vowed retaliation after seizure

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 19th, 2019

Britain deployed destroyer HMS Duncan to the Gulf to replace HMS Montrose on Friday (July 12), maintaining a continuous presence there during a time of heightened tension in the region. The warship sailed through Turkey's Bosphorus river on its way to the Persian Gulf. Relations between Tehran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said HMS Montrose had to fend off Iranian vessels which sought to block a British-owned tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain deploys HMS Duncan to Gulf amid Iran tensions

The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points.

World's most important oil transit path: The strait of Hormuz

Are The U.S. & Iran On A Collision Course?

Gravitas: U.S.-Iran Tensions: War clouds loom over the gulf

Even by diplomatic standards, the first day of the G20 Summit was not only hectic but showed how India was a sought after country at the event in Osaka. The two trilaterals - JAI - between Japan, America, India and RIC - between Russia, India, China showed how India was the common factor in the two groupings.

In talks with world leaders at G20, PM Modi discusses Indo-Pacific, terrorism, situation in Gulf

The United Arab Emirates, a key member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, is scaling back its military presence there as worsening US-Iran tensions threaten security closer to home, four western diplomatic sources said.

UAE scales down military presence in Yemen as Gulf tensions flare

The US special envoy for Iran on Sunday urged "all nations to use their diplomatic effort to urge Iran to de-escalate and meet diplomacy with diplomacy" amid soaring tensions in the Gulf.

US envoy calls on international community to ‘urge Iran to de-escalate’

Any conflict in the Gulf region may spread uncontrollably and threaten the lives of US troops, a senior Iranian military commander said on Sunday after US President Donald Trump said he would impose further sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Iran warns war would spread across Gulf, threaten US troops

Tensions Escalate In The Gulf As Iran Shoots Down U.S. Drone. Here's What Happened?

Gravitas: Iran shoots down U.S drone as tensions intensify in the gulf

Iran is ready to engage in a dialogue with the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to address the issue of escalating tensions with the United States in the Arabian Gulf, authorities said on Tuesday.

Iran ready to talk to Gulf countries amid tension with US

By Tony Walker The last thing the world needs at a moment of significant trade tensions between the United States and China is a Middle East crisis that would further imperil global growth.

Trouble in the Gulf as US-Iran dispute threatens to escalate into serious conflict

The new government at the Centre, after May 23, will soon be called to address the emerging challenges in the Gulf. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions against Iran, moved its military naval ship from Cairo to the Gulf and kept its military base in Qatar and navy in the Arabian Sea on the high alert to meet any threatening contingencies from Iran.

How India should address emerging challenges in the Gulf

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Monday issued a stark warning of the dangers of conflict erupting "by accident" in the Gulf, as tensions between the United States and Iran soar.

Worried about risk of conflict happening by accident in Gulf region: UK foreign minister Jeremy Hunt

The United States' military presence in the Gulf used to be a serious threat but now it is an opportunity, a senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).

US military presence in Gulf is 'an opportunity': Iran Revolutionary Guards' commander

Much of the Middle East’s recent turmoil stems from internecine Middle Eastern rivalries spilling onto third country battlefields and Saudi and United Arab Emirates-led efforts to roll back the achievements of the 2011 popular Arab revolts and pre-empt further uprisings.

Middle Eastern rivalries spilling on the battlefields

It is paradoxical that while the Arab world cried for democracy during the Arab Spring, the Algerian street was silent. Today the street of Algeria erupted again with a consequence that its incumbent President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, had to forego his claim for Presidency for a fifth term.

Algerian Spring: Will it change the Arab course?

By Bill Law One of the many challenges of covering the impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on global affairs is that in the constant churn of stories generated by his Twitter outbursts and the abrupt policy decisions he makes, really important stories get lost in the storm.

The dangerous nuclear games in the Gulf

Unmistakable signs of an economic slowdown in the Gulf have started causing concern in our own country. After decades of carefree spending and burgeoning development cutbacks and laydowns have transmitted tremor waves signalling unprecedented threats.

Assessing the impact of economic slowdown in Gulf on India

The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha.

Mike Pompeo to push for end to Gulf dispute during Qatar visit

The arrival of the USS John C Stennis aircraft carrier group in the Gulf to deter Iran from further testing ballistic missiles is likely to dampen Indian hopes that the Trump administration’s exemption of the port of Chabahar from sanctions against the Islamic republic would help it tighten economic relations with Central Asia and further regional integration.

Chabahar port: Stepped up US military posture in Gulf threatens India's interests

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