Unic Press UK: The United States has designated an Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1 and Akhilesh Kumar [the Adrian Darya 1’s captain] alleging that the tanker carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, with an estimated value of $130 million, would ultimately benefit Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said:
“The Adrian Darya 1 is being identified as blocked property pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorism or acts of terrorism. As part of today’s action, the Adrian Darya 1’s captain, Akhilesh Kumar, is also designated pursuant to E.O. 13224. Vessels like the Adrian Darya 1 enable the IRGC-QF to ship and transfer large volumes of oil, which they attempt to mask and sell illicitly to fund the regime’s malign activities and propagate terrorism…”
The U.S. also chides the Iranian Foreign Minister, Javid Zarif. In a tweet, the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said:
“FM @JZarif guaranteed to the UK that the IRGC oil tanker #Grace1 / #AdrianDarya1 would not head to Syria. We have reliable information that the tanker is underway and headed to Tartus, Syria. I hope it changes course. It was a big mistake to trust Zarif.”
Based on marine data, the precise final destination of the 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil on Adrian Darya 1 remains unclear.
The #AdrianDarya1 has now changed its destination to the (Bay of) Iskenderun, Turkey. At this point, it doesn’t mean anything. Consider this just a record update rather than anything substantial. We believe a transfer is still a few days away. Turkey will not import this oil. pic.twitter.com/RfuTvduoKZ
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc.⚓️🛢 (@TankerTrackers) August 30, 2019