Greece not to facilitate Iranian tanker to transfer oil to Syria: minister

Greece will not facilitate Iranian tanker "Adrian Darya 1" to transfer oil to Syria, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said in Athens on Wednesday.

Iranian oil tanker "Adrian Darya 1" is seen in the British territory of Gibraltar, August 17, 2019. [Photo: IC]

The Iranian vessel was seized by Britain in July, for allegedly attempting to breach sanctions by shipping oil to Syria, a charge denied by Tehran.

Gibraltar released the vessels on Sunday after receiving assurances that the tanker's cargo would not be taken to Syria, as announced, but is still sought by the U.S. on charges of links to a terrorist organization, according to the State Department.

"Adrian Darya 1" is believed to be sailing towards the port of Kalamata in southern Greece, according to various reports.

Should she not change destination, the vessels is expected to reach Greek territorial waters this Sunday.

"The ship has stated that she will dock at Kalamata, but this changes easily in international shipping...We will not facilitate the transfer of oil to Syria in any case. We do not want to facilitate the vessel's course towards Syria," Varvitsiotis said during an interview with Greek ANT1 television.

The Greek official said that Greece has received "certain requests" by U.S. authorities and on her part, Athens has stated her position with clarity.

Greece does not want any disturbance in close cooperation ties with the U.S., he stressed.

Varvitsiotis also reiterated that Kalamata's port cannot accommodate such large tankers.

Shipping Minister Yannis Plakiotakis had said on Tuesday that Greece has not yet received a formal request for the docking of the vessel in a Greek port.