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U.S. Seeks to Seize Oil Tanker Detained in Gibraltar

  • Vessel held since July 4 on suspicion of sanctions violation
  • Court adjourned until later Thursday after U.S. request
Iranian tanker, Grace 1.
Iranian tanker, Grace 1.Photographer: Marcelo del Pozo/Bloomberg
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The U.S. is seeking to seize an oil supertanker detained by Gibraltar, potentially deepening a dispute between Iran and the West that has threatened energy supplies from the Middle East.

British forces last month detained the vessel, the Grace 1, on suspicion that it was hauling Iranian crude oil to Syria in violation of European sanctions. A court in Gibraltar was set to release the ship until American authorities intervened.