The United States confiscated Iranian oil from a russian ship near the Greek island of Euboea in the Aegean Sea, reported by Radio Svoboda with reference to AP and Reuters, which in turn refer to their own sources in Greece.
Following the "judicial intervention of the US authorities on the cargo of the ship", the process of "transfer" of oil at the expense of the US government continues, said the official, who wished to remain anonymous.
Greek authorities temporarily detained the ship on April 15, when it anchored near the port of Caristos on the island of Euboea. Then the ship was flying the russian flag, its crew consisted of 19 russians.
The Greek Coast Guard said the ship was arrested on suspicion of violating EU sanctions against кussia over the war in Ukraine.
"It is unknown at this time whether the seizure was Iranian oil, which was subject to US sanctions, or whether the actions were caused by sanctions against a tanker that recently changed its name from Pegas to Lana and has been flying the Iranian flag since May 1." message reads.
A source in the Greek Ministry of Shipping, quoted by Reuters, said that the US Department of Justice has informed Greece that the cargo on board is "Iranian oil."
On May 25, the United States said that russian authorities and state-owned companies were helping the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps smuggle oil and launder money, and decided to impose sanctions.
As reported by Bloomberg, buyers of russian oil in Asia are forced to resort to fabrications to maintain supply flows. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of shipowners are avoiding oil from russia, so as not to face the potential consequences of sanctions. Instead of large tankers, small ships are now being used to supply oil from the russian port of Kozmino.