Iran warns US, don't try to take oil tankers

Iran warns the United States (US) not to try to take the tanker Adrian Darya 1. Iran insists, any attempt to confiscate the tanker which was previously named Grace 1 will have 'great consequences'. 

Abbas Mousavi, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, told a news conference that any attempt to seize the ship, which had a cargo of 2.1 million barrels of crude oil, would have "serious consequences".

Photo from: Reuters

 

"If such action is taken or even if stated verbally and not carried out, it is considered a threat to maritime security in international waters," Mousavi said, as quoted by Al Jazeera, Monday (8/19).

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has given the necessary warnings to US officials through official channels, especially the Swiss embassy in Tehran, not to make such mistakes, because it will have huge consequences," he continued. 

This tanker has indeed sparked a polemic. Previously, the ship was confiscated by the British Marines in July, because it was allegedly going to bring crude oil to Syria. The ship was also detained for six weeks, before being released on the orders of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, where the ship was detained. 

Iran itself strongly denies that the ship is carrying oil destined for Syria. Now, the ship is reportedly heading for Greece. However, Greek authorities have not confirmed whether the ship was indeed headed for the country. { Source }