UK tanker seized by Iran to be released soon, official says

The British tanker detained by Iran in July will be freed soon, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted an Iranian maritime official as saying on Sunday.

The Stena Impero, which was detained for alleged marine violations following the British seizure of an Iranian tanker, could be released later in the cay, Reuters reported, noting that the U.K. released the Iranian ship in August.

{mosads}The legal case against the vessel will still proceed, the head of the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran in Hormozgan Province, Allahmorad Afifipour, told Fars news, according to Reuters.

“After the issuing of the ruling for the end of detention of the English tanker Stena Impero, this vessel will soon, and after the passing of 65 days, begin its movement from the port of Bandar Abbas toward international waters,” Afifipour reportedly said.

Reuters added that head of the Swedish company that owns the ship told Swedish public broadcaster SVT that he hopes to sail the ship away from Iran within a few hours.

“We have received information now this morning that it seems like they will release the ship Stena Impero within a few hours,” Erik Hanell told SVT, according to the news service. “So we understand that the political decision to release the ship has been taken.”