Spain Says Iran Tanker Was Seized by Britain at US Request
Bolton says move meant to prevent Iran profiting from illicit oil trade
In a move that threatens to hugely escalate tensions between Iran and the US,Ā British Royal Marines raided and seized an Iranian oil tanker at GibraltarĀ on Thursday. The tanker was accused by British officials of heading to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.
Iranās Foreign Ministry confirmed summoning the British Ambassador to express āvery strong objection to the illegal and unacceptable seizureā of the ship. Analysts expressed surprise at the unusually aggressive move against a commercial oil tanker.
British Premier TheresaĀ May presented the raidĀ as āfirm action to enforce EU sanctions,ā though Spain indicated that it was actually done because theĀ Trump Administration asked Britain to do so. Spain said theyāre looking into it, since the tanker was captured in Spanish territorial waters.
While the US hasnāt taken credit for the move yet, John BoltonĀ was cheering the move, saying it would keep Iran from āprofiting off the illicit trade,ā which to be clear, is Iran shipping Iranian oil to Syria to sell it, when the US insists Iran isnāt allowed to sell any oil, and the EU says Syria isnāt allowed to buy any.
Source: Spain Says Iran Tanker Was Seized by Britain at US Request – News From Antiwar.com