Iran Press/America: Panama began the flag-withdrawal process on Friday after an investigation determined the tanker had 'deliberately violated international regulations' by not reporting any unusual situation, Panama authorities said in a statement released on Sunday according to The Guardian.
Panama, which has the largest shipping fleet in the world, has recently withdrawn flags from dozens of vessels, some of which had taken part in illicit activities. It is not clear which country or company owns and operates the Riah.
This latest development follows the British seizure and impounding of an Iranian oil tanker, Grace 1, on Thursday 4 July, at the request of the United States with London accusing Iran of violating EU sanctions on Syria, while, even senior EU officials have wondered how can the UK make such a claim when Iran is not a member of the EU, and therefore is not required by law to comply with such sanctions.
"One refers to EU sanctions against Syria, but Iran is not a member of EU," Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Carl Bildt, tweeted on July 08.
Related news:
Senior EU diplomat slams UK for seizure of Iranian tanker
"Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy forces impounded the vessel, MT Riah, in a blitz operation on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at the request of the Iranian judiciary and after they ensured that the vessel was carrying smuggled fuel," IRGC Navy announced in its statement released on Thursday.
IRGC also rejected some Western media claims about detaining an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf in the weekend, stressing that the vigilant Iranian coast guard forces strongly continue their security and anti-smuggling operations and will not hesitate in defending Iran’s national interests. 104/211/201
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IRGC impounds foreign oil tanker smuggling fuel in the Persian Gulf
Iran reveals the reasons behind seizure of British oil tanker
