U.S. blacklists Iran oil tanker

IRANIAN oil tanker Adrian Darya-1 previously known as Grace 1, was blacklisted by United States due to suspicions that the cargo was bound for Syria. AFP

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — The United States on Friday blacklisted the Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya following repeated warnings over its valuable oil cargo.

Previously known as Grace 1, the ship has been bouncing around the Mediterranean after being held for six weeks by Gibraltar on suspicion its cargo was bound for Syria.

Despite Washington’s efforts to keep it detained, it was released by the British territory and its every move is being followed with intense speculation.

The US Department of Treasury on Friday said the vessel is “blocked property” under an anti-terrorist order, and “anyone providing support to the Adrian Darya 1 risks being sanctioned.”

The ship’s captain, Akhilesh Kumar, was also blacklisted under the order, which generally prohibits dealings with blocked property by US persons.

Lebanon had earlier dismissed Turkish claims that it would receive the ship, which has a cargo of 2.1 million barrels worth around $140 million.

While Iran has denied selling the oil to its Damascus ally, experts said the likely scenario was for a ship-to-ship transfer, with a Syrian port as the final destination.