Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, Aug. 16, 2019 – The United States State Department issued a statement delivering a strong warning about the Iranian regime’s Grace-1 supertanker recently released by Gibraltar and all parties seeking to engage in maritime business with the regime ruling Iran.
“The United States assesses that the M/T Grace-1 was assisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by transporting oil from Iran to Syria. This could result in serious consequences for any individuals associated with the Grace-1.
“The IRGC has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States. Crewmembers of vessels assisting the IRGC by transporting oil from Iran may be ineligible for visas or admission to the United States under the terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds in Section 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The maritime community should be aware that the U.S. government intends to revoke visas held by members of such crews. In the case of the M/T Grace-1, we will continue to act consistently with our existing policies concerning those who provide material support to the IRGC.
“The United States will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to deny Iran and its proxies the resources they need to engage in malign and destabilizing activities in Syria and elsewhere. This includes the full enforcement of U.S. sanctions with respect to Iran and the IRGC.”
A message to all mariners – if you crew an IRGC or other FTO-affiliated ship, you jeopardize future entry to the U.S. #NotWorthIt https://t.co/v4bqu5SGSu
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 16, 2019
After 40 days, a Gibraltar court ruled for the release of the Iranian regime’s confiscated oil tanker. Reports indicate this release follows an agreement between the mullahs and the United Kingdom in return for the release of the UK ship seized in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran had first announced the large oil tanker was transferring oil-based products for Syria. However, the mullahs then resorted to denial in order to bypass European Union sanctions on Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and claim they have not been in violation of the embargo.
On Thursday the U.S. Justice Department issued a request to the Gibraltar court to maintain the oil tanker in custody. This tanker contains two million barrels of Iranian oil, reports indicate. At the time of its confiscation, Gibraltar authorities had cited strong indications of the oil tanker heading for Syria.
