Earlier this week, the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 was given permission to leave Gibraltar after spending a month in detention after it was seized by UK marines.
Gibraltar authorities rejected on Sunday another US request not to release Iranian oil tanker Grace 1.
“The Central Authority’s inability to seek the Orders requested is a result of the operation of European Union law and the differences in the sanctions regimes applicable to Iran in the EU and the US,” a Gibraltar government statement said.
“The EU sanctions regime against Iran – which is applicable in Gibraltar – is much narrower than that applicable in the US,” according to the statement.
Commenting on the decision, the Iranian Navy commander said that the era of hit and run was over, adding that the navy was ready to escort the tanker.
Following the arrest of the tanker last month, acting Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell claimed that the vessel was detained at the request of the United States, which has long been seeking to curtail Iranian oil exports.
Later on, Gibraltar authorities confirmed that Washington had made a last-ditch request to seize the tanker on a number of allegations.