The Iranian supertanker detained by Britain over accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria has reportedly been released

Jon Nazca/Reuters

Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 sits anchored after it was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria on July 20, 2019.

• Authorities in Gibraltar have released the Grace 1, the Iranian supertanker held by British authorities since early last month, multiple media outlets reported.
• The British Royal Marines seized the Grace 1 on July 4 on suspicion that it was smuggling Iranian oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.
• Earlier on Thursday, authorities in the British territory announced that the US Department of Justice had applied to seize the Grace 1.

The British territory of Gibraltar has released the Grace 1, the Iranian supertanker held by British authorities since early last month, multiple media outlets report.

A judge at the Gibraltar Supreme Court agreed to release the Iranian vessel that the Royal Marines seized on July 4, which had been suspected of transporting Iranian oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions, the Gibraltar Chronicle reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Gibraltar authorities announced that the US Department of Justice had applied to seize the Grace 1. The Supreme Court's decision on the application has not yet been announced.

Earlier in the day authorities also released the Grace 1's crew, who are mostly Indian nationals.

The Gibraltar government has not yet responded to Business Insider's request for comment.

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