- Home
- World
- News
- Zarif Slams US 'Piracy' Bid to Seize Grace 1 Tanker Hours Before Vessel Freed in Gibraltar
Zarif Slams US 'Piracy' Bid To Seize Grace 1 Tanker Hours Before Vessel Freed In Gibraltar
Faizan Hashmi Published August 15, 2019 | 09:26 PM
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has slammed the United States' alleged last ditch attempt to seize the Islamic republic's impounded Grace 1 oil tanker hours before Gibraltar ruled to set it free as a "piracy attempt."
Earlier on Thursday, the authorities of Gibraltar ruled to release the tanker, which was captured on July 4 on suspicion of transporting oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. According to the Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper, the US Department of Justice sought to seize Grace 1 mere hours before Gibraltar was poised to set it free. The vessel, however, was still released, albeit a few hours after the supertanker's captain and three crew members were freed.
"Having failed to accomplish its objectives through its #EconomicTerrorism � including depriving cancer patients of medicine � the US attempted to abuse the legal system to steal our property on the high seas.
This piracy attempt is indicative of Trump admin's contempt for the law," Zarif wrote on Twitter.
The tanker was formally detained on suspicion of breaching EU sanctions against Syria. Acting Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, however, claimed that the vessel was detained at the request of the United States, which has long been seeking to drive Iranian oil exports to zero. At the same time, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the information that the detained tanker had transported oil to Syria.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo made the decision to set the tanker free after Iran provided his government with written guarantees that the vessel's cargo would not be delivered to Syria, the Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper reported.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
President calls for further strengthening of Pakistan-UK trade, economic ties
President for better marketing, projection of gemstone industry of Pakistan
26% increase on tobacco tax can reduce PKR 300bn in health cost
China keen to launch uplift projects for Gwadar’s local population: Senator
Pakistan to bring perpetrator of Dasu terrorist attack to justice soon: Lin Jian
Financial crisis at UK's biggest water supplier worsens
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
Poland raids Russian spy network: security services
Commissioner directs officials to prepare for Shaheed Zaulfiqar Ali Bhutto's ann ..
UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.4% in 2023: data
Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves reach $ 13.42 billion
European stock markets head into Easter break with slight gains
More Stories From World
-
Pakistan to bring perpetrator of Dasu terrorist attack to justice soon: Lin Jian
23 minutes ago -
Financial crisis at UK's biggest water supplier worsens
23 minutes ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
23 minutes ago -
Poland raids Russian spy network: security services
23 minutes ago -
UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.4% in 2023: data
23 minutes ago -
Haiti situation 'cataclysmic': UN
2 hours ago
-
Profits fall for China's top chipmaker as sanctions bite
2 hours ago -
Portugal awaits new government after hung polls
2 hours ago -
China willing to work with Pakistan to enhance capability of tackling security challenges: Col Wu Qi ..
2 hours ago -
Haiti situation 'cataclysmic': UN
2 hours ago -
Detectives return to French village to solve missing toddler mystery
2 hours ago -
Japan Moon probe survives second lunar night: space agency
3 hours ago