Seized Iran oil tanker set to leave Gibraltar

Vessel expected to depart Sunday night, says Iranian ambassador in London

By Tayfun Salci

LONDON (AA) - An Iranian oil tanker, which was seized in early July in Gibraltar, is expected to leave the country on Sunday night, Tehran’s ambassador to London said.

“As two specialized engineering teams arrive in Gibraltar, the vessel is expected to depart tonight,” Hamid Baeidinejad said in a Twitter message.

His remarks came after Gibraltar -- a British overseas territory -- denied a U.S. Justice Department's request to initiate a new legal procedure for the tanker’s detention.

On July 4, Gibraltar had detained Iran’s Grace 1 tanker over claims that it was delivering crude oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

Iran also seized a British-flagged tanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz in a retaliatory action. Tension has been running high in the region since then.

Kaynak:

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