Gibraltar
took the decision to seize an Iranian tanker last week solely because the ship
was in breach of European Union sanctions and not on the request of any other
country, the British territory’s chief minister said on Friday.
The
tanker Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar
on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria.
“The
decisions of Her Majesty’s government of Gibraltar were taken totally
independently, based on breaches of existing law and not at all based on extraneous
political considerations,” Fabian Picardo told Gibraltar’s parliament.
“These
important decisions about breaches of our laws were not decisions taken at the
political behest or instruction of any other state or third party.”
Iran
has demanded that Britain release the ship and denies that it was taking oil to
Syria in violation of sanctions. The affair has led to an increase in tension
in the Gulf, with Britain saying on Thursday that it fended off Iranian ships
that tried to block a British tanker.
Tehran
blames the United States for arranging to have its ship seized. Washington has
imposed sanctions against Iran with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports.
European countries do not have sanctions against Iran, but have had them in
place against Iran’s ally Syria since 2011.
Police
in Gibraltar said on Thursday they had arrested the captain and chief officer
of the supertanker and seized documents and electronic devices. Picardo said it
was carrying 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil.
“All
relevant decisions in respect of this matter were taken only as a direct result
of the government of Gibraltar having reasonable grounds to believe the vessel
was acting in breach of established EU sanctions against Syria,” Picardo said.
“We
will not allow Gibraltar to be used or knowingly or unknowingly complicit in
the breach of EU or other international sanctions,” he added
He
said the provenance and origin of the cargo had not been relevant to the
actions, which he also said could be challenged in the courts.
