Iran tanker in limbo off Gibraltar
US WARRANT SAYS VESSEL AND OIL ABOARD SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE
Alast-minute US warrant to seize an Iranian tanker preparing to leave Gibraltar after weeks of detention cast doubt over its departure on Saturday, prolonging a diplomatic spat between Tehran, London and Washington.
The US Justice Department alleged the ship was part of a scheme “to unlawfully access the US financial system to support illicit shipments to Syria from Iran by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organisation.
There was no immediate comment from Britain or Gibraltar, its overseas territory, over whether they would act on the warrant.
Gibraltar seized the ship on July 4 on suspicion it was transporting oil to Syria in breach of European sanctions, triggering a sharp deterioration in relations between Tehran and London. Iran has repeatedly denied this.
Iran subsequently detained the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in what was seen as a tit-for-tat move.
Release order
On Thursday, Gibraltar’s Supreme Court ordered the tanker released after the British overseas territory said it had received assurances from Iran that the Grace 1 would not head to any country subject to European Union sanctions.
2.1m Barrels of crude oil being carried by the vessel
Preparations are underway for the ship to set sail, with a new crew set to arrive to pilot the tanker and its 2.1 million barrels of oil.
But in a last-minute twist on Friday, the United States, which is at loggerheads with Iran, issued the warrant.
The warrant says the vessel and all the oil aboard are subject to forfeiture based on violations of a US law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which revolves around any unusual or extraordinary threat from overseas to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.
It also cites violations to bank fraud, money laundering and terrorism statutes.
The US move comes after it tried — and failed — to block the tanker’s release.
The July 4 seizure came amid surging tensions in the Gulf after several alleged Iranian attacks on smaller tankers.
Iran called the detention of the Grace 1 an “illegal interception” staged by the United States, while Washington cheered it as “excellent news.”