Great Britain seizes Iranian oil tanker

(Patria) – British Royal Marines seized an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday on suspicion of transferring oil to Syria, thereby violating EU sanctions.

The tanker Grace 1 was seized on British territory near southern Spain after a long voyage around Africa from the Middle East.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the British ambassador to the country to express 'strong disapproval of the illegal and unacceptable seizure' of the ship.

The European Union banned oil shipments to Syria back in 2011, but has not reacted in this way until now because, unlike the US, it has not imposed such comprehensive sanctions on Iran, writes the Euronews portal.

European countries have so far tried to remain neutral in the escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran has long been supplying oil to its allies in Syria despite sanctions against Syria.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted, calling the British move 'great news'.

Gibraltar authorities stated they have reason to believe that the tanker Grace 1 was transporting oil to the Baniyas refinery in Syria: 'That refinery is owned by an entity that is under EU sanctions,' claims Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, adding that law enforcement agencies and port authorities requested the support of the Royal Marines at his request.

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed Gibraltar's move.