UK considering options over seized ship: minister

London was considering several options in response to Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker, junior defence minister Tobias Ellwood said Sunday.

Britain has said its priority is to de-escalate tensions with Iran in the Gulf, and has called for the release of the Stena Impero oil tanker which was seized Friday in what Britain said was an illegal move in Omani waters.

"We are going to be looking at a series of options," Ellwood told Sky News television.

He denied Britain had been negligent in providing protection to its ships passing through the Gulf and said the Royal Navy was too small to manage UK interests around the globe.

The frigate HMS Montrose was in the Gulf when it was seized.

Asked on Sky News television if Britain had taken its "eye off the ball", Ellwood replied: "No, not at all."
He said British ships travelled through 100 nautical miles of waterway every day, adding: "It is impossible simply to escort each individual vessel."
"If we want to continue playing a role on the international stage -- bearing in mind that threats are changing -- all happening just beneath the threshold of all-out war, then we must invest more in our defence, including
"Our Royal Navy is too small to manage our interests across the globe if that's our future intentions and that's something the next prime minister will need to recognise."