The disposition of the damaged Iranian ship was also under discussion, he said.

Iranian ships dock frequently at the port to unload and take on cargo.

The the Iranian ship, called the Joshan, was believed to have a crew of 31.

"You've got Iranian ships sitting off Rotterdam and people asking whose oil is that before they buy it."

Iraq said yesterday that it had hit two more Iranian ships in the new air attacks.

Iraq has resumed attacks on Iranian ships and oil facilities.

Iranian ship: "We're operating in international waters and we have no actions."

There were aerial reconnaissance photos of Iranian ships setting sail.

He cited press pictures of mines aboard the captured Iranian ship.

"But what could be the point of capturing an Iranian ship?"