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Iran has released the Greek-owned oil tanker St Nikolas, ending a detention that began in January 2024, reported Reuters citing TankerTrackers.
The Marshall Islands-flagged Suezmax was seized by Iranian forces while transiting the Gulf of Oman with Iraqi crude bound for Turkey. Iranian state media said the action was under a court order, though it was widely viewed as retaliation for a previous US seizure.
The vessel had earlier been detained in April 2023 under its former name Suez Rajan, when US authorities seized more than 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude in the South China Sea. The cargo was linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US officials said the seizure followed a guilty plea by charterer Suez Rajan Limited to conspiring to violate sanctions. Greece-based Empire Navigation later agreed to carry the oil to the United States for confiscation.
After the US action, Iranian officials warned of reprisals. Iranian forces subsequently detained several foreign-linked vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including the Advantage Sweet and Niovi. While the Advantage Sweet was later released, the Niovi remains held with little explanation.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9260100000465
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