Seized Greek-flagged tankers moved to Iranian ports - Lloyd's List

Quantum Commodity Intelligence - A Greek-flagged oil tanker seized in the Middle East Gulf on Friday has been moved to an anchorage off Bandar Abbas, Iran's largest port, reported the specialist maritime publication Lloyd's List Monday.

Two Greek oil tankers were boarded in the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian military personnel on Friday, in what was seen as retaliatory action after Greece seized a vessel laden with Iranian oil last week at the request of the US.

Analysts said the seizure of the Iranian cargo and Iran's subsequent actions are likely to further sour relationships between Washington and Tehran, denting any lingering hopes of restoring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in the short term.

Talks have been in deadlock for several weeks over the status of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is listed by the US as a terrorist organization, while last week, the US Treasury Department expanded sanctions against the IRGC.

Lloyd's list reported that Vessel manager Polembros Shipping confirmed that the suezmax Prudent Warrior was waiting at the anchorage at the Iranian port.

The tanker's new position was also shown on Monday morning when its Automatic Identification System transponder was switched on again after contact was lost around lunchtime on May 27.

The other vessel, Delta Tankers' Delta Poseidon, is believed to remain far north of Bandar Abbas, anchored off Asaluyeh to where it was diverted on Friday, but its AIS transponder remains switched off.

IRGC forces boarded both tankers after loading crude oil at the Iraqi port of Basrah.

A source said that Basrah crude being involved could cause a diplomatic rift between Iran and Iraq, but so far there has been no word from Baghdad.

The cargoes are believed to have been ultimately bound for Greece and the US.