The whole Iran situation took another downward turn when an Iranian Super Tanker was seized off the coast of Gibraltar for allegedly breaching EU sanctions against Syria. The intelligence regarding this apparently came from the US and it will serve to further undermine EU attempts to maintain the Nuclear Agreement.
Super Tanker like the one Seized off Gibraltar.
Image:Casa nayafana/Shutterstock
Although it may appear to Iran and its allies as a hostile act the 330-meter tanker was in all probability heading for the Baniyas Refinery in the port town of Tartus, which is owned by the Syrian ministry of petroleum. This is in clear breach of the prevailing EU Sanctions against that country although it was also welcomed by the Trump Administration with White House national security advisor John Bolton stating the seizure was “excellent news”.
Spain has surprisingly taken a back seat on this, stating it is was studying the circumstances of the action, and of course, the Iranian Government are accusing the UK of a form of piracy with no legitimate legal authority existing for the seizure. The fun will start if it turns out that the tanker was not bound for Syria, in which case it could be illegal and make the UK look like Americas lackys.
