US National Security Advisor welcomes UK's action in stopping Iranian oil ship bound for Syria
White House National Security Adviser John Bolton welcomed Britain's action in stopping an Iranian oil tanker carrying fuel for the Syrian government.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Friday morning (Tehran time): "Great news: Britain has stopped the supertanker Grace 1, which was transporting Iranian oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. The United States and our allies will not allow the regimes in Tehran and Damascus to profit from this illicit trade."
Earlier on Thursday, July 4, the British Navy and Gibraltar officials seized a supertanker named "Grace 1" that was carrying crude oil destined for Syria.
The tanker was seized because it violated European Union sanctions against the Syrian government, which came into effect on May 1, 2011.
Also, the acting Spanish Foreign Minister announced that the seizure of the Iranian tanker was carried out at the request of the United States.
According to the information recorded, the ship was in Iraq in December (fall of last year), but the Iraqi port did not register its name. The ship's tracking system was also turned off and it was seen shortly after near the port of Assaluyeh in Iran.
The ship had chosen the longer route of passing through southern Africa – instead of the Suez Canal.
Source: Voice of America
