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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...pplies-seize-iran-oil-supertanker/2016823001/
Authorities in Gibraltar released from detention Thursday an Iranian oil supertanker impounded since last month despite a last-minute move by the United States to seize the vessel, according to the government of the British overseas territory.
Officials in Gibraltar earlier said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice "applied to seize the Grace 1 on a number of allegations," but a judge in Gibraltar's Supreme Court later ruled he had not received an "application" for the U.S. seizure.
The Justice Department has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
The U.S. move comes amid a standoff between Iran and Washington after President Donald Trump withdrew from an international nuclear accord with Tehran and reimposed sanctions. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have been on the rise since.
The tanker "Grace 1" was seized last month in a British Royal Navy operation off the coast of Gibraltar. Authorities suspected it of violating European Union sanctions on oil shipments to Syria. Its seizure has deepened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Iran claims control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for oil shipments.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement after Thursday's ruling that he had received "written assurances" from Iran that its tanker would not seek to travel to a destination that is subject to EU sanctions. "This assurance has the effect of ensuring that we have deprived the (President Bashar) Assad regime in Syria of more than one hundred and forty million dollars of valuable crude oil," he said.
The "Grace 1" was carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
Authorities in Gibraltar released from detention Thursday an Iranian oil supertanker impounded since last month despite a last-minute move by the United States to seize the vessel, according to the government of the British overseas territory.
Officials in Gibraltar earlier said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice "applied to seize the Grace 1 on a number of allegations," but a judge in Gibraltar's Supreme Court later ruled he had not received an "application" for the U.S. seizure.
The Justice Department has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
The U.S. move comes amid a standoff between Iran and Washington after President Donald Trump withdrew from an international nuclear accord with Tehran and reimposed sanctions. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have been on the rise since.
The tanker "Grace 1" was seized last month in a British Royal Navy operation off the coast of Gibraltar. Authorities suspected it of violating European Union sanctions on oil shipments to Syria. Its seizure has deepened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Iran claims control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for oil shipments.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement after Thursday's ruling that he had received "written assurances" from Iran that its tanker would not seek to travel to a destination that is subject to EU sanctions. "This assurance has the effect of ensuring that we have deprived the (President Bashar) Assad regime in Syria of more than one hundred and forty million dollars of valuable crude oil," he said.
The "Grace 1" was carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
