The United States applied on Thursday to seize an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-britain-might-free-oil-tanker-soon-irna-242778">Iranian tanker in Gibraltar,</a> halting its expected release at the last minute and preventing a possible swap for British-flagged tanker held by Iran.

The Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by Royal Marine commandos in a landing in darkness off the coast of the British overseas territory on July 4.

Gibraltar said the tanker was suspected of selling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions. Two weeks later, Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Gulf on July 19.

Gibraltar was widely expected to release the Grace 1 on Thursday, but just hours before, the US Department of Justice sought to seize it.

"The US Department of Justice has applied to seize the Grace 1 on a number of allegations which are now being considered," the government of Gibraltar said, adding the matter would return to the supreme court of Gibraltar at 1400 GMT on Thursday.

Watch: Iran-UK Oil Tanker Seizure Row

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Further details were not immediately released about the grounds for the US Justice Department's application. The US Justice Department was not immediately available for comment.

The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper, which was first to report the news, said the court's chief justice, Anthony Dudley, made clear that were it not for the US move, "the ship would have sailed".

While both Britain and Iran deny they were planning to swap the vessels for each other, there has been a widespread expectation that the Britsh-flagged ship will not be freed until the Iranian tanker is released.

The two seized tankers - one in Gibraltar and one in Iran - are seen as a pawn in the standoff between Iran and the West, with their fate tangled in the diplomatic differences between the EU's big powers and the United States.

European countries including Britain strongly disagreed with Washington's decision last year to abandon an international agreement that guaranteed Iran access to trade in return for curbs to its nuclear programme.

Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran with the aim of halting its oil exports altogether. European countries have lifted sanctions against Iran itself but still have a ban on selling oil to Syria, in place since 2011.

Gibraltar denies that it was ordered to detain the Grace 1, which was carrying up to 2.1 million barrels of oil, but several diplomatic sources have said the United States asked the United Kingdom to seize the vessel.

Britain, which has insisted its Iran policy will not change under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson who took office last month, has repeatedly indicated it wants a compromise over the tanker.

The captain and three officers of the Grace 1 has been released from arrest.

A source in Gibraltar had told Reuters ahead of Thursday's court hearing that the Grace 1 would probably be allowed to leave, stoking speculation about a possible tanker swap with Iran.

Britain has announced plans to join a US-led maritime security mission in the Gulf.

Iranian navy commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi repeated Iran's longstanding demand that Western navies leave the Gulf, which Iran says should be patrolled only by the countries of the region, ISNA news agency reported on Thursday.

"The enemies of the region, America, England and the Zionist regime and their allies, should know that the time of parading, loitering and putting on a hypocritical show in the Persian Gulf region and the sea of Oman is over,” Khanzadi said, according to ISNA.

"The enemies must leave the region as quickly as possible."

The United States applied on Thursday to seize an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar, halting its expected release at the last minute and preventing a possible swap for British-flagged tanker held by Iran.

The United States applied on Thursday to seize an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar, halting its expected release at the last minute and preventing a possible swap for British-flagged tanker held by Iran. The Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by Royal Marine commandos in a landing in darkness off the coast of the British overseas territory on July 4. Gibraltar said the tanker was suspected of selling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions. Two weeks later, Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Gulf on July 19. Gibraltar was widely expected to release the Grace 1 on Thursday, but just hours before, the US Department of Justice sought to seize it. "The US Department of Justice has applied to seize the Grace 1 on a number of allegations which are now being considered," the government of Gibraltar said, adding the matter would return to the supreme court of Gibraltar at 1400 GMT on Thursday. Watch: Iran-UK Oil Tanker Seizure Row × Further details were not immediately released about the grounds for the US Justice Department's application. The US Justice Department was not immediately available for comment. The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper, which was first to report the news, said the court's chief justice, Anthony Dudley, made clear that were it not for the US move, "the ship would have sailed". While both Britain and Iran deny they were planning to swap the vessels for each other, there has been a widespread expectation that the Britsh-flagged ship will not be freed until the Iranian tanker is released. The two seized tankers - one in Gibraltar and one in Iran - are seen as a pawn in the standoff between Iran and the West, with their fate tangled in the diplomatic differences between the EU's big powers and the United States. European countries including Britain strongly disagreed with Washington's decision last year to abandon an international agreement that guaranteed Iran access to trade in return for curbs to its nuclear programme. Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran with the aim of halting its oil exports altogether. European countries have lifted sanctions against Iran itself but still have a ban on selling oil to Syria, in place since 2011. Gibraltar denies that it was ordered to detain the Grace 1, which was carrying up to 2.1 million barrels of oil, but several diplomatic sources have said the United States asked the United Kingdom to seize the vessel. Britain, which has insisted its Iran policy will not change under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson who took office last month, has repeatedly indicated it wants a compromise over the tanker. The captain and three officers of the Grace 1 has been released from arrest. A source in Gibraltar had told Reuters ahead of Thursday's court hearing that the Grace 1 would probably be allowed to leave, stoking speculation about a possible tanker swap with Iran. Britain has announced plans to join a US-led maritime security mission in the Gulf. Iranian navy commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi repeated Iran's longstanding demand that Western navies leave the Gulf, which Iran says should be patrolled only by the countries of the region, ISNA news agency reported on Thursday. "The enemies of the region, America, England and the Zionist regime and their allies, should know that the time of parading, loitering and putting on a hypocritical show in the Persian Gulf region and the sea of Oman is over,” Khanzadi said, according to ISNA. "The enemies must leave the region as quickly as possible."

United States seeks to seize Iranian vessel in Gibraltar: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-intends-to-restart-activities-at-arak-heavy-water-nuclear-reactor-report-238974">Iran</a> said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

British authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ships-stranded-in-brazil-are-set-to-depart-officials-238954">detained an Iranian tanker</a> off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria.

On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move.

Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-deputy-foreign-minister-says-tehran-has-not-lost-any-drones-237039">Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi</a> linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV.

"Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added.

Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Mounting tensions

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US President Donald Trump</a> pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions.

Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions.

Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones.

The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water.

Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high.

The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies.

Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing.

The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed.

Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments".

The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid.

It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA. 
&nbsp;

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement. British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move. Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV. "Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added. Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough. Mounting tensions Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions. Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions. Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones. The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water. Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high. The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies. Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing. The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed. Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments". The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid. It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA.

Britain's seizure of oil tanker breach of ailing 2015 nuclear deal: Iran

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-police-release-all-crew-members-of-detained-iranian-tanker-235421">Gibraltar's Supreme Court</a> ruled Friday that a seized Iranian tanker suspected of breaching sanctions by shipping oil to Syria can be detained for 30 more days, the British territory's government said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seized-foreign-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz-iran-236898">Grace 1 supertanker</a>, carrying 2.1 million barrels of oil, was intercepted by British Royal Marines and Gibraltar's police on July 4 as it transited through waters claimed by Gibraltar, which is located on Spain's southern tip.

An initial order by the court authorising the detention of the vessel would lapse after Friday. The order can be renewed for up to 90 days.

But Gibraltar's Supreme Court, at the request of the attorney general, extended the period of detention "for a further 30 days" and has set a new hearing on August 15, the government said in a statement.

"We look forward to continuing to work constructively and positively with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to facilitate the release of the Grace 1 pursuant to the satisfaction of all legal requirements," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the territory's parliament.

Picardo said Thursday he had a "constructive and positive" meeting with Iranian officials in London aimed at defusing tensions around the detention of the tanker in the British territory's waters.

Gibraltar and US officials believed the tanker was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of separate sets of EU and US sanctions.

Iran has reacted with fury to what it termed "piracy" and warned it would not let the interception go unanswered.

Last week, a British warship in the Gulf warned off armed Iranian boats that tried to stop a UK supertanker. London has since announced the deployment of two more warships to the Gulf region for the coming months.

The Gibraltar court ruling comes as tensions in the Gulf region mounted Friday after Washington said an Iranian drone was destroyed after threatening a US naval vessel at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.

It was believed to be the first US military engagement with Iran following a series of increasingly serious incidents.

Iran has denied losing any drones.

Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled Friday that a seized Iranian tanker suspected of breaching sanctions by shipping oil to Syria can be detained for 30 more days, the British territory's government said.

Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled Friday that a seized Iranian tanker suspected of breaching sanctions by shipping oil to Syria can be detained for 30 more days, the British territory's government said. The Grace 1 supertanker, carrying 2.1 million barrels of oil, was intercepted by British Royal Marines and Gibraltar's police on July 4 as it transited through waters claimed by Gibraltar, which is located on Spain's southern tip. An initial order by the court authorising the detention of the vessel would lapse after Friday. The order can be renewed for up to 90 days. But Gibraltar's Supreme Court, at the request of the attorney general, extended the period of detention "for a further 30 days" and has set a new hearing on August 15, the government said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to work constructively and positively with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to facilitate the release of the Grace 1 pursuant to the satisfaction of all legal requirements," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the territory's parliament. Picardo said Thursday he had a "constructive and positive" meeting with Iranian officials in London aimed at defusing tensions around the detention of the tanker in the British territory's waters. Gibraltar and US officials believed the tanker was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of separate sets of EU and US sanctions. Iran has reacted with fury to what it termed "piracy" and warned it would not let the interception go unanswered. Last week, a British warship in the Gulf warned off armed Iranian boats that tried to stop a UK supertanker. London has since announced the deployment of two more warships to the Gulf region for the coming months. The Gibraltar court ruling comes as tensions in the Gulf region mounted Friday after Washington said an Iranian drone was destroyed after threatening a US naval vessel at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. It was believed to be the first US military engagement with Iran following a series of increasingly serious incidents. Iran has denied losing any drones.

Gibraltar court extends detention of Iran tanker for 30 days: Britain

All four crew members of the Iranian Grace 1 tanker were released on bail without any charge by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-denies-that-it-detained-iranian-tanker-at-the-behest-of-third-party-235298">Gibraltar police</a>, news agency Reuters reported on Saturday. They were detained last week on suspicion of breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Gibraltar police said earlier on Friday that they had arrested the two-second mates from the tanker, a day after the vessel’s captain and chief officer were arrested.

In a statement, the police said all four crew members were granted bail with conditions. It did not elaborate but said the investigation was ongoing and that the Grace 1 continues to be detained.

The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria.

The vessel contained 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil, Picardo said.

Iran has demanded that Britain release the ship and denies that it was taking oil to Syria in violation of sanctions. The affair has led to an increase in tension in the Gulf, with Britain saying on Thursday that it fended off Iranian ships that tried to block a British tanker.

Tehran blames the United States for arranging to have its ship seized.&nbsp;

Washington has imposed sanctions against Iran with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports. European countries do not have sanctions against Iran, but have had them in place against Iran's ally Syria since 2011.

(With inputs from agencies)

All four crew members of the Iranian Grace 1 tanker were released on bail without any charge by Gibraltar police, news agency Reuters reported on Saturday. They were detained last week on suspicion of breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

All four crew members of the Iranian Grace 1 tanker were released on bail without any charge by Gibraltar police, news agency Reuters reported on Saturday. They were detained last week on suspicion of breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria. Gibraltar police said earlier on Friday that they had arrested the two-second mates from the tanker, a day after the vessel’s captain and chief officer were arrested. In a statement, the police said all four crew members were granted bail with conditions. It did not elaborate but said the investigation was ongoing and that the Grace 1 continues to be detained. The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria. The vessel contained 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil, Picardo said. Iran has demanded that Britain release the ship and denies that it was taking oil to Syria in violation of sanctions. The affair has led to an increase in tension in the Gulf, with Britain saying on Thursday that it fended off Iranian ships that tried to block a British tanker. Tehran blames the United States for arranging to have its ship seized. Washington has imposed sanctions against Iran with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports. European countries do not have sanctions against Iran, but have had them in place against Iran's ally Syria since 2011. (With inputs from agencies)

Gibraltar police release all crew members of detained Iranian tanker

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-sends-second-warship-to-gulf-amid-escalating-tensions-with-iran-report-235331">Britain sends second warship to gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran: Report</a>

Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf, Sky News report said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-concerned-by-turkeys-acquisition-of-russias-s-400-missile-defence-system-235300">NATO 'concerned' by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system</a>

NATO said Friday it was "concerned" by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system after Ankara took delivery of its first batch.

The alliance has repeatedly warned Turkey that the Russian system is incompatible with other NATO weapons systems, not least the F-35 fighter jet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/coa-to-review-indias-world-cup-performance-after-shocking-semi-final-exit-235347">CoA to review India's World Cup performance after shocking semi-final exit</a>

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) will be reviewing India's performance at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, a BCCI source confirmed on Friday.

"Team India's performance in the World Cup will be assessed and reviewed at an appropriate time," a BCCI source told ANI.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-retail-inflation-hits-8-month-high-in-june-235349">India's retail inflation hits 8-month high in June</a>

India's retail inflation rate hit an eight-month high in June on higher food prices, government data showed on Friday, but stayed below the central bank's medium-term target of 4% for an eleventh straight month. Annual retail inflation in June was 3.18%, up from 3.05% in the previous month, but below analyst forecasts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-the-us-should-not-play-with-fire-on-taiwan-235313">China says the US should 'not play with fire' on Taiwan amid Tsai Ing-wen's New York visit</a>

China's top diplomat Wang Yi warned the United States on Friday that it should "not play with fire" on the question of Taiwan, expressing anger about a planned US arms sale.

Britain sends second warship to gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran: Report Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf, Sky News report said.

Britain sends second warship to gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran: Report Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf, Sky News report said. NATO 'concerned' by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system NATO said Friday it was "concerned" by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system after Ankara took delivery of its first batch. The alliance has repeatedly warned Turkey that the Russian system is incompatible with other NATO weapons systems, not least the F-35 fighter jet. CoA to review India's World Cup performance after shocking semi-final exit The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) will be reviewing India's performance at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, a BCCI source confirmed on Friday. "Team India's performance in the World Cup will be assessed and reviewed at an appropriate time," a BCCI source told ANI. India's retail inflation hits 8-month high in June India's retail inflation rate hit an eight-month high in June on higher food prices, government data showed on Friday, but stayed below the central bank's medium-term target of 4% for an eleventh straight month. Annual retail inflation in June was 3.18%, up from 3.05% in the previous month, but below analyst forecasts. China says the US should 'not play with fire' on Taiwan amid Tsai Ing-wen's New York visit China's top diplomat Wang Yi warned the United States on Friday that it should "not play with fire" on the question of Taiwan, expressing anger about a planned US arms sale.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Iranian boats attempted to seize British tanker. Royal Navy fends off Iranian seizure of oil tanker. UK claimed 3 Iranian boats tried to stop their tanker. Watch this video to know more.

Gibraltar: 2 Indian Officials Arrested

Gibraltar Police Arrest Captain Of Detained Tanker; The Captain Is An Indian News coming in, Gibraltar police arrest captain of a detained tanker. Palki discusses the situation at the ground with Wion's West Asia Bureau Chief Daniele Pagani

Gravitas: Gibraltar: Captain of detained tanker arrested

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Relations between Iran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached by Iranian vessels in the strait between Iran and the Arabian peninsula.

"We are reacting to what is happening in a measured and careful way and we are being clear to Iran that we are not seeking to escalate this situation," Jeremy Hunt told Sky News.

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Relations between Iran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached by Iranian vessels in the strait between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. "We are reacting to what is happening in a measured and careful way and we are being clear to Iran that we are not seeking to escalate this situation," Jeremy Hunt told Sky News.

UK says it does not want to increase tension with Iran

Britain is sending second warship to the Gulf amid growing tensions with Iran after Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar. Watch this video to know more.

Iran tanker row: HMS Duncan to join HMS Montrose in the Gulf

Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-oil-tanker-seizure-will-not-go-without-a-response-iran-defence-minister-233959">Iranian tanker</a> off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf,&nbsp;Sky News report said.

According to the report, the destroyer HMS Duncan, which had been earmarked for deployment in the region anyway although not so soon, would sail to the Gulf in the next few days to join the frigate HMS Montrose, the report added.

Britain's Ministry of Defence had no immediate comment on the report.

British Royal Marines abseiled onto the Iranian tanker off the coast of the British territory recently&nbsp;and seized it over accusations it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-standoff-tests-show-seized-tanker-was-loaded-to-capacity-with-crude-oil-confirms-uk-government-234176">breaking sanctions</a> by taking oil to Syria. They landed a helicopter on the moving vessel in pitch darkness.

The move escalated a confrontation between Iran and the West just weeks after the United States called off airstrikes minutes before impact, and drew Washington's close ally into a crisis in which European powers had striven to appear neutral.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf, Sky News report said.

Amid growing tensions with Iran after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar last week, Britain is sending a second warship to the Gulf, Sky News report said. According to the report, the destroyer HMS Duncan, which had been earmarked for deployment in the region anyway although not so soon, would sail to the Gulf in the next few days to join the frigate HMS Montrose, the report added. Britain's Ministry of Defence had no immediate comment on the report. British Royal Marines abseiled onto the Iranian tanker off the coast of the British territory recently and seized it over accusations it was breaking sanctions by taking oil to Syria. They landed a helicopter on the moving vessel in pitch darkness. The move escalated a confrontation between Iran and the West just weeks after the United States called off airstrikes minutes before impact, and drew Washington's close ally into a crisis in which European powers had striven to appear neutral. (With inputs from Reuters)

Britain sends second warship to gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran: Report

Gibraltar said on Friday that they have decided to detain the Iranian tanker Grace 1 on its own and ruled out any involvement of any other state or third party.&nbsp;

"All relevant decisions in respect of this matter were taken only as a direct result of the government of Gibraltar having reasonable grounds to believe the vessel was acting in breach of established EU sanctions against Syria," the territory's chief minister Fabian Picardo told parliament.

"There has been no political request at any time from any government that Gibraltar should act or not act on one basis or another."

The Grace 1 was seized by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-and-us-will-regret-detaining-our-oil-tanker-irans-elite-revolutionary-guards-deputy-commander-234959">British Royal Marines</a> off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria.

The vessel contained 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil, Picardo said.

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Iran has demanded that Britain release the ship and denies that it was taking oil to Syria in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-britain-release-oil-tanker-held-in-gibraltar-233214">violation of sanctions</a>. The affair has led to an increase in tension in the Gulf, with Britain saying on Thursday that it fended off Iranian ships that tried to block a British tanker.

Tehran blames the United States for arranging to have its ship seized.&nbsp;

Washington has imposed sanctions against Iran with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports. European countries do not have sanctions against Iran, but have had them in place against Iran's ally Syria since 2011.

Gibraltar said on Friday that they have decided to detain the Iranian tanker Grace 1 on its own and ruled out any involvement of any other state or third party. "All relevant decisions in respect of this matter were taken only as a direct result of the government of Gibraltar having reasonable grounds to believe the vessel was acting in breach of established EU sanctions against Syria," the territory's chief minister Fabian Picardo told parliament.

Gibraltar said on Friday that they have decided to detain the Iranian tanker Grace 1 on its own and ruled out any involvement of any other state or third party. "All relevant decisions in respect of this matter were taken only as a direct result of the government of Gibraltar having reasonable grounds to believe the vessel was acting in breach of established EU sanctions against Syria," the territory's chief minister Fabian Picardo told parliament. "There has been no political request at any time from any government that Gibraltar should act or not act on one basis or another." The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria. The vessel contained 2.1 million barrels of light crude oil, Picardo said. × Iran has demanded that Britain release the ship and denies that it was taking oil to Syria in violation of sanctions. The affair has led to an increase in tension in the Gulf, with Britain saying on Thursday that it fended off Iranian ships that tried to block a British tanker. Tehran blames the United States for arranging to have its ship seized. Washington has imposed sanctions against Iran with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports. European countries do not have sanctions against Iran, but have had them in place against Iran's ally Syria since 2011.

Gibraltar denies that it detained Iranian tanker at the behest of third party 

Tests have shown a supertanker seized in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-britain-release-oil-tanker-held-in-gibraltar-233214">Gibraltar last week was fully loaded</a> with crude oil, the government of the British territory said on Monday.

British Royal Marines boarded the ship, Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on Thursday and seized it for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.

"Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar can now confirm, after having received the results of comprehensive laboratory testing, that ... the Grace 1, which was detained in the early hours of Thursday morning, is loaded to capacity with crude oil," the government said in a statement.

"The results of these tests ... contradict the statements of some commentators from outside the jurisdiction who had speculated that the cargo on the vessel was not crude."

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-urges-uk-to-free-captured-oil-tanker-calling-it-maritime-piracy-234145/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The statement said the Grace 1 was detained when it freely navigated into British Gibraltar’s territorial waters, having previously left the international waters of the Straits of Gibraltar on a pre-arranged call for provisions and spare parts.

Meanwhile, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, said on Tuesday that Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar last week will not be "unanswered", according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

"Capture of the Iranian oil tanker based on fabricated excuses ... will not be unanswered and when necessary Tehran will give an appropriate answer," Bagheri said.

Spain, which challenges British ownership of Gibraltar, had said last week the action was prompted by a US&nbsp;request to Britain and appeared to have taken place in Spanish waters.

Gibraltar's statement said the vessel’s detention related to the suspected destination of the cargo, Syria’s Banyas refinery, which is owned by the Banyas Oil Refinery Company and subject to EU sanctions.

Legal specialists say the EU sanctions only explicitly prohibit the export of jet fuel to Syria although a sale to any buyer or end user who is designated would be a breach of the regulations.

The Gibraltar authorities did not disclose the origin of the oil, although Iranian officials have said it was their tanker.

Tests have shown a supertanker seized in Gibraltar last week was fully loaded with crude oil, the government of the British territory said on Monday. British Royal Marines boarded the ship, Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on Thursday and seized it for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.

Tests have shown a supertanker seized in Gibraltar last week was fully loaded with crude oil, the government of the British territory said on Monday. British Royal Marines boarded the ship, Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on Thursday and seized it for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. "Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar can now confirm, after having received the results of comprehensive laboratory testing, that ... the Grace 1, which was detained in the early hours of Thursday morning, is loaded to capacity with crude oil," the government said in a statement. "The results of these tests ... contradict the statements of some commentators from outside the jurisdiction who had speculated that the cargo on the vessel was not crude." Watch Video: The statement said the Grace 1 was detained when it freely navigated into British Gibraltar’s territorial waters, having previously left the international waters of the Straits of Gibraltar on a pre-arranged call for provisions and spare parts. Meanwhile, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, said on Tuesday that Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar last week will not be "unanswered", according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. "Capture of the Iranian oil tanker based on fabricated excuses ... will not be unanswered and when necessary Tehran will give an appropriate answer," Bagheri said. Spain, which challenges British ownership of Gibraltar, had said last week the action was prompted by a US request to Britain and appeared to have taken place in Spanish waters. Gibraltar's statement said the vessel’s detention related to the suspected destination of the cargo, Syria’s Banyas refinery, which is owned by the Banyas Oil Refinery Company and subject to EU sanctions. Legal specialists say the EU sanctions only explicitly prohibit the export of jet fuel to Syria although a sale to any buyer or end user who is designated would be a breach of the regulations. The Gibraltar authorities did not disclose the origin of the oil, although Iranian officials have said it was their tanker.

Iran standoff: Tests show seized tanker was loaded to capacity with crude oil, confirms UK government

UK intercepted the super oil tanker at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a UK territory in Spain's southern tip. Iran says the seizure of grace 1 is illegal. Iran calls the act a 'Form of Piracy'. Watch this video to know more.

UK detains oil tanker headed to Syria

Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the "illegal seizure" of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday. British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran.

Iran summons British envoy for 'illegal seizure' of an Iranian oil tanker

As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-condemns-detention-of-oil-supertanker-in-gibraltar-233073">John Bolton applauded the interception </a>by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions.

"Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted.&nbsp;

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Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions. America &amp; our allies will continue to prevent regimes in Tehran &amp; Damascus from profiting off this illicit trade.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1146877026751647756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"America &amp; our allies will continue to prevent regimes in Tehran &amp; Damascus from profiting off this illicit trade," he said.

Iran condemned the detention of the tanker as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement that the cargo was believed destined for the Banyas Refinery in Syria, which is subject to European sanctions.

"That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," he said.

The 330 metre (1,000 feet) Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, a tiny overseas British territory on Spain's southern tip.

They were aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines.

As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton applauded the interception by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions.

As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton applauded the interception by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions. "Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted. Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions. America & our allies will continue to prevent regimes in Tehran & Damascus from profiting off this illicit trade. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) July 4, 2019 × "America & our allies will continue to prevent regimes in Tehran & Damascus from profiting off this illicit trade," he said. Iran condemned the detention of the tanker as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement that the cargo was believed destined for the Banyas Refinery in Syria, which is subject to European sanctions. "That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," he said. The 330 metre (1,000 feet) Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, a tiny overseas British territory on Spain's southern tip. They were aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines.

UK's decision excellent, supertanker was laden with Iran oil bound for Syria: US

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-decision-excellent-supertanker-was-laden-with-iran-oil-bound-for-syria-us-233122">oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar</a>, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States.

A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement.

He "called for the immediate release of the oil tanker, given that it has been seized at the request of the US, based on the information currently available", the statement added.

Authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip at the western entrance to the Mediterranean, said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

The detention of the 330-metre Grace 1 vessel comes at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran announcing it is poised to breach the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in a troubled 2015 nuclear deal.

The Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines.

The ship was detained four kilometres&nbsp;south of Gibraltar in what it considers British waters, although Spain, which lays claim to the territory, says they are Spanish.

It was boarded when it slowed down in a designated area used by shipping agencies to ferry goods to vessels.

"We have reason to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement.

"That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria.

"We have detained the vessel and its cargo," Picardo said.

At US request

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters the vessel was detained at the request of the United States.

In a statement, Britain's Foreign Office said "we welcome this firm action by the Gibraltarian authorities, acting to enforce the EU Syria Sanctions regime".

European Union sanctions against war-torn Syria have been in force since late 2011.

The 28-member bloc has imposed sanctions on Syrian officials including government ministers over their role in the "violent repression" of civilians.

It has frozen the assets of around 70 entities and introduced an embargo on Syrian oil, investment restrictions and a freeze on Syrian central bank assets within the EU.

The tanker's detention comes just days after Iran announced it would exceed the uranium enrichment limit set up as part of the 2015 deal to avoid it building up to the level required for a nuclear warhead.

Tehran took the action in response to Washington abandoning the nuclear deal last year and hitting Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions with biting sanctions.

The unilateral move has sent tensions in the Gulf soaring as the administration of President Donald Trump forges ahead with a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran in coordination with its Middle East allies Israel and Saudi Arabia.

White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Tehran, applauded the interception of the supertanker.

"Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted.&nbsp;

According to specialised shipping trade publication Lloyd's List, which analyses vessel-tracking data, the 1997-built ship is laden with Iranian oil.

It reported that the ship loaded oil off Iran in April and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States. A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement.

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States. A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement. He "called for the immediate release of the oil tanker, given that it has been seized at the request of the US, based on the information currently available", the statement added. Authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip at the western entrance to the Mediterranean, said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. The detention of the 330-metre Grace 1 vessel comes at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran announcing it is poised to breach the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in a troubled 2015 nuclear deal. The Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines. The ship was detained four kilometres south of Gibraltar in what it considers British waters, although Spain, which lays claim to the territory, says they are Spanish. It was boarded when it slowed down in a designated area used by shipping agencies to ferry goods to vessels. "We have reason to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement. "That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria. "We have detained the vessel and its cargo," Picardo said. At US request Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters the vessel was detained at the request of the United States. In a statement, Britain's Foreign Office said "we welcome this firm action by the Gibraltarian authorities, acting to enforce the EU Syria Sanctions regime". European Union sanctions against war-torn Syria have been in force since late 2011. The 28-member bloc has imposed sanctions on Syrian officials including government ministers over their role in the "violent repression" of civilians. It has frozen the assets of around 70 entities and introduced an embargo on Syrian oil, investment restrictions and a freeze on Syrian central bank assets within the EU. The tanker's detention comes just days after Iran announced it would exceed the uranium enrichment limit set up as part of the 2015 deal to avoid it building up to the level required for a nuclear warhead. Tehran took the action in response to Washington abandoning the nuclear deal last year and hitting Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions with biting sanctions. The unilateral move has sent tensions in the Gulf soaring as the administration of President Donald Trump forges ahead with a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran in coordination with its Middle East allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Tehran, applauded the interception of the supertanker. "Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted. According to specialised shipping trade publication Lloyd's List, which analyses vessel-tracking data, the 1997-built ship is laden with Iranian oil. It reported that the ship loaded oil off Iran in April and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Iran demands Britain release oil tanker held in Gibraltar

Gibraltar said on Thursday (July 4) it had detained the supertanker Grace 1 on suspicion of carrying crude oil to Syria in what a legal source said may be the first such interception under EU sanctions.

Oil supertanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar

&nbsp;British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-deal-clears-way-for-sunday-brexit-summit-179184">Gibraltar</a> on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran.

The Grace 1 tanker was impounded in the British territory at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, after sailing around Africa from the Gulf. Shipping data reviewed by Reuters suggests it had been loaded with Iranian oil off the coast of Iran, although its documents say the oil is from neighbouring Iraq.

The Gibraltar authorities who seized it did so under the authority of European sanctions against Syria that have been in place for years, with no reference to the source of the oil.

But the likelihood that the cargo was Iranian draws a link between this incident and a new US effort to halt all global sales of Iranian crude, in what Tehran has described as an illegal "economic war" against it.

European countries have tried to stay neutral in that confrontation, which saw the United States call off air strikes against Iran just minutes before impact last month, and Tehran amasses stocks of enriched uranium banned under a nuclear deal.

In a statement, the Gibraltar government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria.

"That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said. "With my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation."

"So, public, so aggressive"

The incident appears to be the first in which European authorities have seized a tanker for allegedly violating Syria sanctions, which have been in place since 2011.

"This is the first time that the EU has done something so public and so aggressive. I imagine it was also coordinated in some manner with the US given that NATO member forces have been involved," said Matthew Oresman, a partner with law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman who advises firms on sanctions.

"This is likely to have been meant as a signal to Syria and Iran - as well as the US - that Europe takes sanctions enforcement seriously and that the EU can also respond to Iranian brinkmanship related to ongoing nuclear negotiations."

Iran has long been supplying its allies in Syria with oil despite such sanctions. What is new now is the US. sanctions on Iran itself. They were imposed last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of an agreement that guaranteed Tehran access to world trade in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Those sanctions have been tightened sharply since May, effectively forcing Iran off of mainstream crude markets, making it desperate for alternative ways to sell oil and more reliant on its own tanker fleet to store supplies it cannot sell.

The US-Iranian confrontation has escalated in recent weeks, taking on a military dimension after Washington accused Tehran of attacking tankers in the Gulf and Iran shot down a US drone. Trump ordered air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died.

European countries opposed Trump's decision to exit the nuclear deal last year, and they have promised to help Iran find alternative ways to export. But they have so far failed to ease the impact of US sanctions, with all major companies halting plans to invest.

Iran has said it wants to keep the nuclear deal alive but cannot do so indefinitely unless it receives some of the promised economic benefits. In the past week, it announced that it had accumulated more low-enriched uranium than allowed under the deal, and it says it will refine uranium to greater purity than the deal allows from July 7.

By restricting Iran's ability to move oil around the globe, the US sanctions have choked off Tehran's Syrian allies.

Government-controlled areas of Syria suffered acute fuel shortages earlier this year resulting from what Assad described as an economic siege. In May, Syria received its first foreign oil supplies for six months with the arrival of two shipments including one from Iran, a source familiar with the shipment said at the time.

Earlier this year, Reuters revealed that the Grace 1 supertanker was one of four tankers involved in shipping Iranian fuel oil to Singapore and China, in violation of US sanctions.

Ship mapping information from data firm Definitive shows that in the latest case, the Grace 1 sailed a long route to the mouth of the Mediterranean around the southern tip of Africa instead of via Egypt's Suez Canal.

The 300,000-tonne, Panamanian-flagged tanker is managed by Singapore-based IShips Management Pte Ltd. It was documented as loading fuel oil in the Iraqi port of Basra in December, though Basra did not list it as being in port and its tracking system was switched off. The tanker then reappeared on tracking maps near Iran's port of Bandar Assalyeh, fully loaded.

A maritime intelligence source said the ship may have made the long journey around Africa to avoid having to transit the Suez canal, where such a large super-tanker would have had to unload its oil and refill after passing through, potentially exposing its cargo to seizure by Egyptian authorities.

"We welcome this firm action to enforce EU sanctions against the Syrian regime and commend those Gibraltarian authorities involved in successfully carrying out this morning's operation," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said.

"This sends a clear message that the violation of the sanctions is unacceptable."

Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.

British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran.

British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran. The Grace 1 tanker was impounded in the British territory at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, after sailing around Africa from the Gulf. Shipping data reviewed by Reuters suggests it had been loaded with Iranian oil off the coast of Iran, although its documents say the oil is from neighbouring Iraq. The Gibraltar authorities who seized it did so under the authority of European sanctions against Syria that have been in place for years, with no reference to the source of the oil. But the likelihood that the cargo was Iranian draws a link between this incident and a new US effort to halt all global sales of Iranian crude, in what Tehran has described as an illegal "economic war" against it. European countries have tried to stay neutral in that confrontation, which saw the United States call off air strikes against Iran just minutes before impact last month, and Tehran amasses stocks of enriched uranium banned under a nuclear deal. In a statement, the Gibraltar government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria. "That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said. "With my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation." "So, public, so aggressive" The incident appears to be the first in which European authorities have seized a tanker for allegedly violating Syria sanctions, which have been in place since 2011. "This is the first time that the EU has done something so public and so aggressive. I imagine it was also coordinated in some manner with the US given that NATO member forces have been involved," said Matthew Oresman, a partner with law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman who advises firms on sanctions. "This is likely to have been meant as a signal to Syria and Iran - as well as the US - that Europe takes sanctions enforcement seriously and that the EU can also respond to Iranian brinkmanship related to ongoing nuclear negotiations." Iran has long been supplying its allies in Syria with oil despite such sanctions. What is new now is the US. sanctions on Iran itself. They were imposed last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of an agreement that guaranteed Tehran access to world trade in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Those sanctions have been tightened sharply since May, effectively forcing Iran off of mainstream crude markets, making it desperate for alternative ways to sell oil and more reliant on its own tanker fleet to store supplies it cannot sell. The US-Iranian confrontation has escalated in recent weeks, taking on a military dimension after Washington accused Tehran of attacking tankers in the Gulf and Iran shot down a US drone. Trump ordered air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died. European countries opposed Trump's decision to exit the nuclear deal last year, and they have promised to help Iran find alternative ways to export. But they have so far failed to ease the impact of US sanctions, with all major companies halting plans to invest. Iran has said it wants to keep the nuclear deal alive but cannot do so indefinitely unless it receives some of the promised economic benefits. In the past week, it announced that it had accumulated more low-enriched uranium than allowed under the deal, and it says it will refine uranium to greater purity than the deal allows from July 7. By restricting Iran's ability to move oil around the globe, the US sanctions have choked off Tehran's Syrian allies. Government-controlled areas of Syria suffered acute fuel shortages earlier this year resulting from what Assad described as an economic siege. In May, Syria received its first foreign oil supplies for six months with the arrival of two shipments including one from Iran, a source familiar with the shipment said at the time. Earlier this year, Reuters revealed that the Grace 1 supertanker was one of four tankers involved in shipping Iranian fuel oil to Singapore and China, in violation of US sanctions. Ship mapping information from data firm Definitive shows that in the latest case, the Grace 1 sailed a long route to the mouth of the Mediterranean around the southern tip of Africa instead of via Egypt's Suez Canal. The 300,000-tonne, Panamanian-flagged tanker is managed by Singapore-based IShips Management Pte Ltd. It was documented as loading fuel oil in the Iraqi port of Basra in December, though Basra did not list it as being in port and its tracking system was switched off. The tanker then reappeared on tracking maps near Iran's port of Bandar Assalyeh, fully loaded. A maritime intelligence source said the ship may have made the long journey around Africa to avoid having to transit the Suez canal, where such a large super-tanker would have had to unload its oil and refill after passing through, potentially exposing its cargo to seizure by Egyptian authorities. "We welcome this firm action to enforce EU sanctions against the Syrian regime and commend those Gibraltarian authorities involved in successfully carrying out this morning's operation," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said. "This sends a clear message that the violation of the sanctions is unacceptable." Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.

Oil tanker bound for Syria seized in Gibraltar for sanctions-busting

British Airways flight struggles in high winds over Gibraltar

Britain on Friday unveiled four agreements signed with Spain as part of the Brexit withdrawal deal that provides for unprecedented cooperation between Madrid and Gibraltar.

The memoranda of understanding outline cooperation in the fields of tobacco smuggling, policing, workers' rights and the environment, setting up joint committees that will meet to exchange information.

This only applies to the transition period until the United Kingdom actually leaves the European Union, but nevertheless represents a boost in relations between Spain and Gibraltar, a British overseas territory long claimed by Madrid.

"The memoranda reflect our shared desire to work together in a spirit of trust and solidarity," the British government said in a statement.

They do not, however, touch on the thorny issue of sovereignty.

Spain has a long-standing claim on Gibraltar, a small rocky outcrop on Spain's southern tip that it ceded to the British crown in 1713.

Gibraltar, however, wants to maintain its ties with the United Kingdom.

Relations between Spain and Gibraltar have long been strained and this has been reflected in the small land border between the two.

In one particularly belligerent row over disputed waters, Spanish authorities upped border checks in 2013, creating hours-long logjams and forcing the European Commission to intervene and ease the crisis.

But Brexit forced the governments of Spain, Gibraltar and Britain to the negotiating table on many long-standing issues.

Under the accords, Gibraltar has agreed to increase the price of tobacco products in an effort to attack contraband trade.

Prices are currently between 25 and 48 per cent lower than in Spain, depending on the products, according to the government of Gibraltar.

The deal says that "by June 30, 2020, the average retail price differential of tobacco products will be no more than 32 per cent greater than the most recently published Spanish prices for the equivalent tobacco products."

Another memorandum sets up a joint Spain-Gibraltar committee for police and customs cooperation, another for workers' rights and another on environmental issues, with each side having an equal number of members.

Britain on Friday unveiled four agreements signed with Spain as part of the Brexit withdrawal deal that provides for unprecedented cooperation between Madrid and Gibraltar.

Britain on Friday unveiled four agreements signed with Spain as part of the Brexit withdrawal deal that provides for unprecedented cooperation between Madrid and Gibraltar. The memoranda of understanding outline cooperation in the fields of tobacco smuggling, policing, workers' rights and the environment, setting up joint committees that will meet to exchange information. This only applies to the transition period until the United Kingdom actually leaves the European Union, but nevertheless represents a boost in relations between Spain and Gibraltar, a British overseas territory long claimed by Madrid. "The memoranda reflect our shared desire to work together in a spirit of trust and solidarity," the British government said in a statement. They do not, however, touch on the thorny issue of sovereignty. Spain has a long-standing claim on Gibraltar, a small rocky outcrop on Spain's southern tip that it ceded to the British crown in 1713. Gibraltar, however, wants to maintain its ties with the United Kingdom. Relations between Spain and Gibraltar have long been strained and this has been reflected in the small land border between the two. In one particularly belligerent row over disputed waters, Spanish authorities upped border checks in 2013, creating hours-long logjams and forcing the European Commission to intervene and ease the crisis. But Brexit forced the governments of Spain, Gibraltar and Britain to the negotiating table on many long-standing issues. Under the accords, Gibraltar has agreed to increase the price of tobacco products in an effort to attack contraband trade. Prices are currently between 25 and 48 per cent lower than in Spain, depending on the products, according to the government of Gibraltar. The deal says that "by June 30, 2020, the average retail price differential of tobacco products will be no more than 32 per cent greater than the most recently published Spanish prices for the equivalent tobacco products." Another memorandum sets up a joint Spain-Gibraltar committee for police and customs cooperation, another for workers' rights and another on environmental issues, with each side having an equal number of members.

Brexit deals bring Spain, Gibraltar closer together

An 11th-hour deal on Saturday to answer Spanish demands for a big say on Gibraltar after Britain leaves the EU has salvaged an EU summit which will now go ahead as planned on Sunday to deliver a Brexit accord.

With British Prime Minister Theresa May due to meet EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker and summit chair Donald Tusk at 6 pm (1700 GMT) and 7:15 pm respectively, Tusk secured a deal with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who had been threatening to scupper the consensus by staying away on Sunday.

"After the phone call between (Tusk) and (Sanchez) a few minutes ago, we are closer to tomorrow`s (European Council)," Tusk`s spokesman Preben Aamann said on Twitter.

The British government released a letter from the British ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow to the head of Tusk`s secretariat spelling out that Britain would make no presumption that any future EU-UK trade pact would apply to Gibraltar.

Sanchez was due to make a statement in Madrid at 3 pm (1400 GMT) to outline the agreement, diplomats said, after British and Spanish negotiators talked through the night with EU officials trying to broker a deal that would reassure Madrid on how the Brexit treaties would apply to Gibraltar and give it a clear say on their application -- without reopening the texts.

Those assurances should form part of a brief statement agreed by the 27 EU leaders and added to the minutes of Sunday morning`s hour-long meeting before the 27 meet May at 11 am.

"Negotiations went on through the night with Spain and Britain," one diplomatic source said. "In a telephone conversation just now, Tusk and Sanchez reached an agreement on Gibraltar. The summit will go ahead."

Many Brussels insiders view Sanchez`s gambit as summit grandstanding for domestic purposes -- he faces a regional election next weekend in Andalusia, the province to which Spaniards argue Britain`s 300-year-old naval base and 30,000 citizens on the rock of Gibraltar rightly belong.

The biggest obstacle to the Brexit accord overall is the vehement opposition in the British parliament. Without its approval, Britain could leave the bloc on March 29 without an agreement to mitigate economic and legal disruption.

An 11th-hour deal on Saturday to answer Spanish demands for a big say on Gibraltar after Britain leaves the EU has salvaged an EU summit which will now go ahead as planned on Sunday to deliver a Brexit accord.

An 11th-hour deal on Saturday to answer Spanish demands for a big say on Gibraltar after Britain leaves the EU has salvaged an EU summit which will now go ahead as planned on Sunday to deliver a Brexit accord. With British Prime Minister Theresa May due to meet EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker and summit chair Donald Tusk at 6 pm (1700 GMT) and 7:15 pm respectively, Tusk secured a deal with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who had been threatening to scupper the consensus by staying away on Sunday. "After the phone call between (Tusk) and (Sanchez) a few minutes ago, we are closer to tomorrow`s (European Council)," Tusk`s spokesman Preben Aamann said on Twitter. The British government released a letter from the British ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow to the head of Tusk`s secretariat spelling out that Britain would make no presumption that any future EU-UK trade pact would apply to Gibraltar. Sanchez was due to make a statement in Madrid at 3 pm (1400 GMT) to outline the agreement, diplomats said, after British and Spanish negotiators talked through the night with EU officials trying to broker a deal that would reassure Madrid on how the Brexit treaties would apply to Gibraltar and give it a clear say on their application -- without reopening the texts. Those assurances should form part of a brief statement agreed by the 27 EU leaders and added to the minutes of Sunday morning`s hour-long meeting before the 27 meet May at 11 am. "Negotiations went on through the night with Spain and Britain," one diplomatic source said. "In a telephone conversation just now, Tusk and Sanchez reached an agreement on Gibraltar. The summit will go ahead." Many Brussels insiders view Sanchez`s gambit as summit grandstanding for domestic purposes -- he faces a regional election next weekend in Andalusia, the province to which Spaniards argue Britain`s 300-year-old naval base and 30,000 citizens on the rock of Gibraltar rightly belong. The biggest obstacle to the Brexit accord overall is the vehement opposition in the British parliament. Without its approval, Britain could leave the bloc on March 29 without an agreement to mitigate economic and legal disruption.

Gibraltar deal clears way for Sunday Brexit summit

Issues relating to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-you-need-to-know-about-gibraltar-in-brexit-talks-178603"> Gibraltar in Britain</a>`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement.

Speaking after negotiators said they had agreed in principle to a text setting out the future relationship between Britain and the EU, the source also said significant progress had been made on the political declaration on Britain`s future EU ties.

"We have made significant progress from the outline political declaration in a number of areas," the source said. "Gibraltar remains a significant issue ... it is clear there are issues to resolve there." 
&nbsp;

Issues relating to Gibraltar in Britain`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement.

Issues relating to Gibraltar in Britain`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement. Speaking after negotiators said they had agreed in principle to a text setting out the future relationship between Britain and the EU, the source also said significant progress had been made on the political declaration on Britain`s future EU ties. "We have made significant progress from the outline political declaration in a number of areas," the source said. "Gibraltar remains a significant issue ... it is clear there are issues to resolve there."

Gibraltar remains an issue in Brexit talks: UK government source

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. 
Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks.

Why has the very pro-European country come up with an 11th hour objection, and what impact could it have ahead of Sunday`s summit, where EU leaders meet to rubber-stamp the Brexit deal?

WHAT IS GIBRALTAR?

The small peninsula, a British territory since 1713 and known to its 30,000 residents as "the Rock", is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain has long claimed sovereignty.

Gibraltar is due to leave the EU along with the United Kingdom at the end of March, even though 96 percent of its population voted in the 2016 referendum to remain in the EU.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM NOW FOR MADRID?&nbsp;

Last week, Madrid had said it was happy with a protocol on the peninsula, but it now says there is a problem with the main body of the text.

Spain says it was not aware until a few days ago of Article 184 of the draft Brexit deal, which relates to negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and Britain, and says it is ambiguous on Gibraltar.&nbsp;

WHAT DOES SPAIN WANT?

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Foreign Minister Josep Borrell say the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration that goes with it must make clear that negotiations on the future relationship between Britain and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar. Madrid wants guarantees that alone can decide on the future of Gibraltar in direct talks with Britain.

WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?

Crafting the tentative Brexit deal has taken a year and a half of difficult talks. EU states are determined not to open Pandora`s Box and the prospect of Britain and others making more requests to modify the text.&nbsp;

WHAT DO OTHERS SAY?

Diplomats in Brussels said they thought Sanchez was trying to score points with voters before a high-stakes regional election in Andalusia on December 2. The diplomats said the issue could be solved by the leaders and urged Madrid not to put the whole Brexit deal at risk.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN NOW?

According to EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by qualified majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. The leaders of the 28 members states minus Britain would, however, seek unity on this most politically sensitive matter.

British Prime Minister Theresa May travels to Brussels on Wednesday to try to overcome this and other outstanding issues in talks with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker.&nbsp;

More diplomatic back and forth will follow, with a meeting of the 27 national EU envoys in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting of EU leaders` main negotiators - or sherpas - on Friday. Then comes Sunday`s summit.

Any solution could refer to the fact that in April 2017, the EU 27 gave the European Commission guidelines for Brexit talks that said that no deal between Britain and the EU on their post-Brexit relationship may apply to Gibraltar without a specific agreement between Madrid and London.

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks.

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks. Why has the very pro-European country come up with an 11th hour objection, and what impact could it have ahead of Sunday`s summit, where EU leaders meet to rubber-stamp the Brexit deal? WHAT IS GIBRALTAR? The small peninsula, a British territory since 1713 and known to its 30,000 residents as "the Rock", is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain has long claimed sovereignty. Gibraltar is due to leave the EU along with the United Kingdom at the end of March, even though 96 percent of its population voted in the 2016 referendum to remain in the EU. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM NOW FOR MADRID? Last week, Madrid had said it was happy with a protocol on the peninsula, but it now says there is a problem with the main body of the text. Spain says it was not aware until a few days ago of Article 184 of the draft Brexit deal, which relates to negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and Britain, and says it is ambiguous on Gibraltar. WHAT DOES SPAIN WANT? Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Foreign Minister Josep Borrell say the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration that goes with it must make clear that negotiations on the future relationship between Britain and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar. Madrid wants guarantees that alone can decide on the future of Gibraltar in direct talks with Britain. WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM? Crafting the tentative Brexit deal has taken a year and a half of difficult talks. EU states are determined not to open Pandora`s Box and the prospect of Britain and others making more requests to modify the text. WHAT DO OTHERS SAY? Diplomats in Brussels said they thought Sanchez was trying to score points with voters before a high-stakes regional election in Andalusia on December 2. The diplomats said the issue could be solved by the leaders and urged Madrid not to put the whole Brexit deal at risk. WHAT CAN HAPPEN NOW? According to EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by qualified majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. The leaders of the 28 members states minus Britain would, however, seek unity on this most politically sensitive matter. British Prime Minister Theresa May travels to Brussels on Wednesday to try to overcome this and other outstanding issues in talks with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker. More diplomatic back and forth will follow, with a meeting of the 27 national EU envoys in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting of EU leaders` main negotiators - or sherpas - on Friday. Then comes Sunday`s summit. Any solution could refer to the fact that in April 2017, the EU 27 gave the European Commission guidelines for Brexit talks that said that no deal between Britain and the EU on their post-Brexit relationship may apply to Gibraltar without a specific agreement between Madrid and London.

Explainer: What you need to know about Gibraltar in Brexit talks

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would &quot;never&quot; allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings.

May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that &quot;we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.&quot;

Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain.

On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover Gibraltar.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar&#39;s access to any trade deal, and politicians in &quot;the Rock&quot; fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

May told Picardo that she would never &quot;enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content,&quot; according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office.

&quot;The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy,&quot; it added.

&quot;We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process.&quot;

British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory &quot;will not be bargained away&quot;.

&quot;Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away,&quot; Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johnson wrote that the policy of the government &quot;remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar.&quot;

&quot;The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today.&quot;

&nbsp;&#39;No intention&#39; to close border with Gibraltar: Spain 
 
The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Spain said Sunday it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.

&quot;There is no intention to close the border. The idea is that Spaniards who live in the Campo de Gibraltar and who work in Gibraltar continue to do so,&quot; Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in an interview published in daily newspaper El Pais.

Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it &quot;unnecessary&quot; and &quot;discriminatory.&quot;

&quot;This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests,&quot; Picardo said in a statement.

Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Politicians in Gibraltar fear that Spain will use Brexit to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings. May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes." Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain. On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover Gibraltar. This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula. May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office. "The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added. "We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process." British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away". "Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar." "The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today." 'No intention' to close border with Gibraltar: Spain The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe. Spain said Sunday it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow. Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier. "There is no intention to close the border. The idea is that Spaniards who live in the Campo de Gibraltar and who work in Gibraltar continue to do so," Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in an interview published in daily newspaper El Pais. Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it "unnecessary" and "discriminatory." "This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests," Picardo said in a statement. Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain. (AFP)

Britain says 'never' cede Gibraltar to Spain without consent

Most people in Gibraltar are British citizens with British passports and a majority voted for Britain's continued membership in the EU

Spain will seek co-sovereignty on Gibraltar following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, acting foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said on Friday, saying the vote completely changed the outlook on the future of the peninsula. The small peninsula off the South coast of Spain, a British Overseas Territory since 1713 and known to its 30,000 residents as "the Rock", is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. "It`s a complete change of outlook that opens up new possibilities on Gibraltar not seen for a very long time. I hope the formula of co-sovereignty - to be clear, the Spanish flag on the Rock - is much closer than before," he said. A spokesman for Gibraltar's government declined to comment on the Brexit vote and referred to previous statements made on how co-sovereignty had already been rejected by around 99 per cent of Gibraltarians in a previous local referendum. Spain will push for Gibraltar to stay out of any general negotiations with the European Union following Britain's exit from the bloc and will aim for bilateral talks to seek co-sovereignty and eventually Spanish control of the peninsula, Garcia-Margallo said. Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union on a large turnout in the first result of the EU referendum vote count on Thursday evening. The majority of those living in Gibraltar are British citizens with British passports, although thousands of Spaniards cross from mainland Spain to work on the peninsula every day. Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Friday that Britain's vote to leave the EU would not affect the rights of these Spanish workers, who he said would be able to continue to move freely between the two territories. Spain itself is facing an election on Sunday, its second in six months after an inconclusive vote in December. Polls forecast a fragmented result with no clear winner, potentially leading to weeks of negotiations over the formation of a coalition government. (Reuters)?

Spain to seek co-sovereignty on Gibraltar after Brexit

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