Iranian Tanker to Recover US-Confiscated Oil Cargo

According to government officials, an Iranian-flagged ship moored outside the port of Piraeus is anticipated to return to Iran this week with a portion of its cargo that the United States had removed. This is in response to a judgment by the Greek Supreme Court. As tensions between Iran and the United States rise, the case has strained ties between Athens and Tehran.

Iranian military seized two Greek tankers in the Middle East Gulf after the transfer of oil from the Lana; these vessels have still not been freed. According to a representative, the government won't comment on court rulings. The Lana remained detained off the coast of Evia for more than two months.

Greek officials authorized its release earlier this month after the ship was towed to Piraeus and a court ruling in favor of an Iranian business was overturned. According to news reports, the United States appealed that choice before Greece's Supreme Court.

"In the past year, Iran's hydrocarbon sales have been reinvigorated by lax enforcement. That must stop," said former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and current Chief Executive of Advocacy Group United Against Nuclear Iran Mark Wallace told Reuters. “The U.S. must continue to enforce sanctions and our allies must join us in this effort.”

The United States contracted the ship Ice Energy, which is also parked near Piraeus harbor, to transport some of the ship's Iranian oil cargo.