Stena Impero: British-flagged tanker seized by Iran leaves port two months after detention

Iran says investigation into ship is ongoing as vessel's owner confirms departure

The British-flagged tanker which was detained by Iran in July has started moving and exited its port on Friday, according to Iranian maritime officials.

The Stena Impero was detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz waterway for alleged marine violations two weeks after Britain seized an Iranian tanker off the territory of Gibraltar.

That vessel, which was seized on suspicion of breaking EU sanctions on Syria, was released in August.

Despite the British-flagged tanker's release, the judicial file on the ship is still open and the process of looking into "violations" committed by the ship continues, the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran said in a statement.

Erik Hanell, the CEO of the ship's owner Stena Bulk, confirmed that the Impero was "on the move" and said the company would comment further when the ship reaches international waters.

Refinitiv ship-tracking data showed the British-flagged tanker had set a new destination for Port Rashid in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, about 250 km (155 miles) away from the Iranian port.

The vessel is expected to reach the destination within half a day, if it travels at normal speed.

Ali Rabiei, an Iranian government spokesperson, told journalists on Monday that legal proceedings against the tanker had ended.

"Based on a friendly approach that allows forgiving mistakes, ground for freedom of the tanker has been paved and it can move," Mr Rabiei said.

On Wednesday, Iran’s foreign ministry said that a lifting of the detention order had been finalised but that an investigation into the vessel was ongoing.

Mr Hanell had said in recent days that Stena Bulk was working to secure the release of the ship and its crew.

Seven of the ship’s 23 crew members had been freed earlier by Iran with the other 16 members remaining on board.

In response to ship's release, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said: “The Stena Impero was unlawfully seized by Iran. It is part of a pattern of attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation.

"We are working with our international partners to protect shipping and uphold the international rule of law."

The vessel’s seizure came after authorities in Gibraltar seized an Iranian oil tanker carrying about £100m in crude oil.

Gibraltar later released the Iranian tanker after it said the country promised the ship would not travel to Syria.

The seizure of the Stena Impero ratcheted up tensions in the region following attacks in May and June on other merchant vessels in Gulf waters which the United States blamed on Iran.

The Iranian government has denied responsibility for the attacks.

Relations between the US and Iran have been tense since Donald Trump decided to unilaterally withdraw from the global pact to rein in Tehran’s nuclear programme and introduced sanctions on the country aimed at shutting down Iranian oil exports.

Agencies contributed to this report