Iran set to release UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero seized more than two months ago

Iran is set to release the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero which it detained more than two months ago.

The ship’s seizure in the Strait of Hormuz in July came two weeks after an Iranian tanker was detained off the coast of Gibraltar.

An Iranian government spokesman said all legal steps had been completed for Stena Impero’s release but he did not confirm a date when it would be freed.

“The legal work for the oil tanker is over and the oil tanker can move, and the decisions indicate the end of the detention,” the spokesman said.

The ship has not turned on its satellite-tracking beacon in 58 days nor has there been any sign that it has left its position off the Iranian coast near the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Stena Bulk, the ship’s Swedish owners, is yet to comment publicly about the ship’s departure.

Earlier this month, Iran released seven of the 23 crew on board the tanker.

They were flown out of Iran, while the 16 remaining were set to remain on the ship to safely operate it.

The vessel was detained by Iran for alleged marine violations on 19 July after the UK had seized the Iranian tanker, the Adrian Darya 1, on 4 July.

The Iranian vessel, previously known as the Grace 1, was impounded after British Royal Marines abseiled onto it off Gibraltar and took its crew into custody.

The ship was seized over concerns it would break sanctions on Syria by delivering Iranian oil to President Assad’s regime.

The tanker was later released when officials received a promise from Tehran that it would not go to Syria.

However, satellite images showed the vessel stationed near a port in Syria after it was freed.

At the time, the Foreign Office said it was clear Iran had breached assurances and oil had been “transferred to Syria and Assad’s murderous regime”.

Iran has seized or attempted to seize several ships in the Strait of Hormuz that it has accused of violating the rules of “safe passage” or smuggling fuel in the last few months.

It prompted the US and UK to send more ships and military personnel to the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia and the US have also accused Iran of launching drone attacks on a Saudi oil refinery.

Tehran has denied involvement in the attack on 14 September, which was initially claimed by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The US plans to send additional troops to the region over the rising tensions.

Boris Johnson has refused to rule the UK out of taking part in any coordinated military action on Iran if Britain is asked to do so.

The prime minister said the UK government is attributing responsibility for the drone attacks in Saudi Arabia to the regime in Tehran “with a very high degree of probability”.

(c) Sky News 2019: Iran set to release UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero seized more than two months ago