The United States issued a decision for the seizure of the Iranian vessel "Grace 1", which was confiscated by the Gibraltar self-government and then released.

The Grace 1, renamed the Adrian Darya 1, left anchorage off Gibraltar around 11 p.m. (2100 GMT), Refinitiv shipping data showed, Reuters reported.

The tanker’s detention ended last week, but a US federal court in Washington on Friday issued a warrant for the seizure of the tanker, the oil it carries and nearly $1 million.

Gibraltar said on Sunday it could not comply with that request because it was bound by EU law.

“The EU sanctions regime against Iran – which is applicable in Gibraltar - is much narrower than that applicable in the US,” the government said in a statement.

"The Gibraltar Central Authority is unable to seek an Order of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar to provide the restraining assistance required by the United States of America."

Tanker crisis

Thursday, July 4th, Britain-bound Gibraltar self-government reported that they had stopped the tanker "Grace 1", which was taking crude oil to Syria, and that the tanker and its cargo had been detained.

The ship, named "Grace 1," was stopped on the grounds that it violated the European Union's embargoes on Syria.

Iranian officials said they would retaliate if the tanker was not released.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps also announced on July 19 that it was detaining the UK-owned oil tanker during its passage through the Strait of Hormuz on the grounds that it did not comply with maritime rules.

The Gibraltar administration had decided to release the tanker after the oil tanker's captain and three crew were released.

ILKHA