Fury in Tehran as Britain seizes Iranian oil tanker over Syria sanctions
British Royal Marines seized a giant Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday suspected of taking oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. The move sparked Tehran's fury and could escalate its confrontation with the West, Euronews reported.
The Grace 1 tanker was impounded in the British territory on the southern tip of Spain after sailing around Africa, the long route from the Middle East to the mouth of the Mediterranean.
Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador to voice "its very strong objection to the illegal and unacceptable seizure" of its ship.
US national security adviser John Bolton said the British move was "excellent news."
While Europe has banned oil shipments to Syria since 2011, it had never seized a tanker at sea. Unlike the United States, Europe does not have broad sanctions against Iran.