Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Greece impounding Iranian-flagged oil tanker

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 May 2022 19:16
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Under US pressure, Greece is illegally seizing an Iranian-flagged oil tanker although US sanctions do not apply in EU countries.

  • x
  • The 115,500-deadweight tonnage tanker is originally Russian-flagged but has changed its flag to an Iranian one to avoid EU and US sanctions
    The 115,500-deadweight tonnage tanker is originally Russian-flagged but has changed its flag to an Iranian one to avoid US sanctions.

Greek authorities have an oil tanker flying the Iranian flag impounded in one of its ports since last April 20, sources reported to Al Mayadeen.

According to BIRN news agency, the 115,500-deadweight tonnage tanker is originally Russian-flagged but has changed its flag to an Iranian one to avoid EU and US sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

The news agency quoted Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff of the US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), as saying that the tanker, renamed Lana, “is now flying an Iranian flag while anchored in Greek waters”.

“Changing the Russian flag for an Iranian one may be a Russian manoeuver to facilitate Russians exports," claimed Miltiadis Sarigiannidis, Associate Law Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. 

US State Department sanctions Russian maritime-related companies

The Pegas oil tanker, with 19 Russian crew members on board, was detected by Greek authorities on April 8 and seized under anti-Russian EU sanctions.

Related News

Supreme Court clears fast-track deportations to random third countries

China-US trade falls 10.4% in H1-2025 to $289.36 billion

The tanker was then released as its new owner, TransMorFlot LLC, a Russian maritime shipping company, was not included in the sanctions list, BIRN indicated.

Nevertheless, on May 8, the US State Department imposed new sanctions that targeted Russian maritime-related companies, including TransMorFlot LLC, which led to blocking the company's 16 vessels.

US Sanctions do not apply in Greece

In the same context, BIRN quoted a lawyer dealing with maritime law as saying that "The sanctions imposed by the US on the Russian shipping company do not apply in Greece."

“However, sanctions are indirectly imposed,” the lawyer added.

"Companies providing services to the vessel, including shipping insurance companies covering liabilities including fuel leaks, shipwrecks and personal injuries, have in these complex circumstances decided to stop trading with the ship, to avoid to be included in the US black list. As a result, the ship can do nothing," the news agency explained.

3 million barrels of Iranian oil in 2021

It is noteworthy that under former US President Donald Trump’s administration, the US imposed sanctions on Iranian oil sales in 2018, unlike the EU. Although the EU has not imposed sanctions on Iranian oil, no European shipping company dares to transport Iranian crude oil, fearing US retaliation.

UANI noted that on August 19, 2021, Pegas loaded around 700,000 barrels of crude oil from Iran's Sirri Island. It also transported over three million barrels of Iranian oil in 2021.

Greek media outlet Kathimerini pointed out that the US asked Greek judicial authorities to order an investigation and the seizure of the tanker.

Considering that there are no sanctions imposed on Iranian oil by the European Union, all eyes are on Greece's decision regarding the originally Russian-flagged tanker.

  • United States
  • Europe
  • Russia
  • US
  • Thessaloniki
  • Ukraine
  • Donald Trump
  • Iran
  • European Union

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS