Tehran summons UK ambassador over ‘the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker’
July 5, 2019, 9:41 am

Tehran summons UK ambassador over ‘the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker’

Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran for what it called as the "illegal seizure" of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday, Iranian state TV said, quoting foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

Royal Marines seized ship in Gibraltar suspected of taking Iranian oil to Syria, as a breach of EU sanctions, this comes in a rapid step that may cause an escalating confrontation between Iran and the west.

According to Refinitiv Eikon ship tracking data, the tanker carried Iranian crude oil on April 17. If it is being confirmed that it was trying to deliver the shipment to Syria, it would also be a breach of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said the Gibraltar government had seized the ship according an American request from Britain.

Britain welcomed the "firm action" taken by the Gibraltar government to detain the tanker and said this step has a clear message which indicates that the breach of EU sanctions is unacceptable.

Syrian Regime has been subjected to EU sanctions since May 2011, shortly after starting the bloodshed against the pro-democracy demonstrators, then it turned to a civil war.

Iran, an ally of President Bashar al-Assad, is also subject to US sanctions aimed at stopping all its oil exports. The sanctions were imposed last year after Trump withdrew from a nuclear deal signed by international powers with Iran in 2015.

We have reason to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas Refinery in Syria, Gibraltar government stated.

The Gibraltarian PM, Fabian Picardo, said "that refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria."

He added, "with my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation."

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
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Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
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