Iran changes name of seized tanker to Persian moniker Adrian Darya as US issues warrant to seize it

An Iranian tanker seized in Gibraltar has changed its name from Grace 1 to Adrian Darya as it prepared to leave the British Overseas Territory.

But the ship, which had been held since July 4 after it was seized by Royal Marines over accusations it was supplying oil to Syria, now faces a US Justice Department warrant demanding its recapture.

Tehran has also denied it made any promises about the tanker’s destination to secure its release.

Crew members of the super tanker remove the name of the Grace 1 (pictured) in the British territory of Gibraltar. It has been renamed Adrian Darya for its voyage

Iran changed the name of the tanker from Grace 1 to Persian moniker Adrian Darya as it was preparing to leave Gibraltar. It is expected to depart on Sunday or Monday

Iran changed the name of the tanker from Grace 1 to Persian moniker Adrian Darya as it was preparing to leave Gibraltar. It is expected to depart on Sunday or Monday

It also emerged yesterday that the ship (pictured after its renaming) would sail under an Iranian flag for its voyage away from Gibraltar. The vessel, which had been held since July 4 after it was seized by Royal Marines over accusations it was supplying oil to Syria, now faces a US Justice Department warrant demanding its recapture

It also emerged yesterday that the ship (pictured after its renaming) would sail under an Iranian flag for its voyage away from Gibraltar. The vessel, which had been held since July 4 after it was seized by Royal Marines over accusations it was supplying oil to Syria, now faces a US Justice Department warrant demanding its recapture

Tehran has denied it made any promises about the ship's destination to secure its release. But Gibraltar insisted it has

Tehran has denied it made any promises about the ship’s destination to secure its release. But Gibraltar insisted it has

A state media website quoted foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying: ‘Iran has given no assurances over the Grace 1 not going to Syria to secure its release.

‘The tanker’s destination was not Syria… and even if it was, it did not concern anyone else.’

But Gibraltar insisted it was.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar had deprived the Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime of around $140million (£115million) worth of crude oil, according to a government statement.

Britain's Royal Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) sails at sunset next to Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 today as it sits anchored

Britain’s Royal Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) sails at sunset next to Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 today as it sits anchored

A Spanish Civil Guard ship and Britain's Royal Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boat sail next to Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 as it sits anchored yesterday

A Spanish Civil Guard ship and Britain’s Royal Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boat sail next to Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 as it sits anchored yesterday

Grace 1, an Iranian oil tanker seized by Royal Marines over accusations it was supplying oil to Syria, had been held in Gibraltar since July 4 but prepared to leave the British territory yesterday

Grace 1, an Iranian oil tanker seized by Royal Marines over accusations it was supplying oil to Syria, had been held in Gibraltar since July 4 but prepared to leave the British territory yesterday

Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 sits anchored in the fog after it was seized in July by British Royal Marines

Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 sits anchored in the fog after it was seized in July by British Royal Marines

The British Overseas Territory was expected to release Grace 1 last Thursday, but the US intervened at the last minute.

At the time the ship was stormed, Tehran accused London of doing Washington’s bidding.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard then captured the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19.

The US says it can seize Grace 1 and the 2.1million barrels of oil it is carrying. The country claims the tanker was violating terrorism statutes and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

But a spokesman for the Justice Department said: ‘A seizure warrant is merely an allegation.’

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard then captured the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard then captured the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19

Royal Marines from 42 Commando are pictured 'fast-roping' from a Wildcat helicopter (left) on to the supertanker Grace 1 as they intercepted it near Gibraltar in early July

Royal Marines from 42 Commando are pictured ‘fast-roping’ from a Wildcat helicopter (left) on to the supertanker Grace 1 as they intercepted it near Gibraltar in early July

The British-flagged Stena Impero was surrounded by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and seized in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19, while the Liberian-flagged Mesdar oil tanker, managed by Norbulk Shipping UK, veered off course towards the Iranian coast after it was boarded by armed guards on the same day

The British-flagged Stena Impero was surrounded by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and seized in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19, while the Liberian-flagged Mesdar oil tanker, managed by Norbulk Shipping UK, veered off course towards the Iranian coast after it was boarded by armed guards on the same day

The Grace 1’s release comes after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers over a year ago, setting in motion a growing confrontation between Tehran and the West over its atomic programme.

After the US initially blocked the tanker’s release last week it was not immediately clear on what legal grounds they had acted. The Department of Justice declined to comment.

The court was told the Americans were asking for mutual legal assistance, the Gibraltar Chronicle reported.

The tanker’s captain and three officers were released from custody last Thursday and the application of the Attorney General’s lawyer had been for no further detention.

Joseph Triay, for Attorney General Michael Llamas QC, told the court: ‘This application was to have taken a very different turn. It was to have been an application for no further order of detention.’

Tehran had no immediate response to the move which will apply further tension to the fraying diplomatic struggle in the Persian Gulf. 

Last week Iran’s Fars News Agency had mistakenly reported the Grace 1 was to be released within hours.  

The UK’s Foreign Office said they could not comment on the US court intervention and that it was a matter for the Supreme Court of Gibraltar.

Armed guardsman is seen patrolling along the deck of the Imepero as Tehran taunted Britain last month

Armed guardsman is seen patrolling along the deck of the Imepero as Tehran taunted Britain last month

Two members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard inspect the captured British tanker last month

Two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard inspect the captured British tanker last month

European countries including Britain strongly disagreed with Washington’s decision last year to abandon an international agreement that guaranteed Iran access to trade in return for curbs to its nuclear program.

Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran with the aim of halting its oil exports altogether. European countries have lifted sanctions against Iran itself but still have a ban on selling oil to Syria, in place since 2011.

Gibraltar denies that it was ordered to detain the Grace 1, which was carrying up to 2.1 million barrels of oil, but several diplomatic sources have said the United States asked the United Kingdom to seize the vessel.

Iranian media mocked Boris Johnson as Donald Trump's butler when he took office last month, saying that his premiership would be short-lived

Iranian media mocked Boris Johnson as Donald Trump’s butler when he took office last month, saying that his premiership would be short-lived

Britain, which has insisted its Iran policy will not change under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has repeatedly indicated it wants a compromise over the tanker.

Tehran’s propaganda machine mocked Mr Johnson when he took office last month, with cartoons featuring the new PM as President Donald Trump’s butler. 

Britain has announced plans to join a US-led maritime security mission in the Gulf and last Monday a Royal Navy frigate, the HMS Kent, relieved the HMS Duncan.

The Type 23 frigate HMS Kent (pictured with its specifications) was dispatched from Portsmouth last Monday to relieve the HMS Duncan

The Type 23 frigate HMS Kent (pictured with its specifications) was dispatched from Portsmouth last Monday to relieve the HMS Duncan

The Royal Navy's most modern warship was dispatched the the Persian Gulf last month to protect British-flagged oil tankers from Iran

The Royal Navy’s most modern warship was dispatched the the Persian Gulf last month to protect British-flagged oil tankers from Iran

The HMS Duncan and HMS Montrose had earlier been dispatched during the developing crisis to protect British vessels in the Gulf.

A Royal Navy spokesman on Monday: ‘Type 23 frigate HMS Kent will relieve HMS Duncan of her duties in the Gulf and is scheduled to work alongside US partners as part of the newly-formed international maritime security construct.

‘She will be focused on providing regional maritime security, including counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling activities.

‘She will also work alongside HMS Montrose to escort British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.’

Neither Tehran nor London have responded to the warrant. 

A timeline of the gulf stand-off 

May 2

US stepped up sanctions on Tehran. Stopped eight countries – China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey – from buying Iranian oil.

May 5 

US says it is deploying aircraft carrier strike group ad bombers to the Middle East. Claims it has been threatened by Iran.

May 8

Iran announces it will relax curbs on its nuclear program.

May 10

US Maritime Administration warns of possible Iranian attacks on shipping in the gulf.

May 12 

Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers are attacked in the Gulf just outside the Strait of Hormuz. US officials blame Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

June 13

Japan and Norway tankers are attacked south of the Strait of Hormuz. 

July 4

Royal Marines seize Iranian supertanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar.

July 5

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatens to seize a British ship unless Grace 1 is released.

July 7

Iran says it will boost uranium enrichment above a cap set under the 2015 nuclear deal

July 10

Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose issues verbal warnings. It aims guns at boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards after they approached BP oil tanker British Heritage at entrance to the strait. 

July 18

US says USS Boxer ‘destroyed’ Iranian drone in the strait as it posed a threat. Iran denies losing a drone.

July 19

Gibralter extends detention of tanker Grace 1 by one month.

July 19

Iran seizes British-flagged Stena Impero and Mesdar. 

August 8

Grace 1 is expected to be released from Gibraltar, but the US intervened at the last minute.

August 16

Grace 1 is released from Gibraltar after a court order is made.

August 17

US Justice Department releases a warrant for Grace 1’s seizure.  

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