Iran Releases South Korean Oil Tanker Seized Over Frozen Funds
Iran introduced a South Korean oil tanker that experienced been at the centre of a dispute above punishing U.S. sanctions on Tehran, the similar day Western and Iranian officials agreed to continue talks aimed at reviving the embattled 2015 nuclear accord.
The Hankuk Chemi, a South Korean-flagged ship that Iran impounded in January, remaining an Iranian port at five:50 a.m. area time on Friday, South Korea’s International Ministry said. Tehran in the beginning seized the ship, together with its captain and 19 crew customers, for what it said were violations of environmental principles.
South Korea paid $100,000 for the launch of the ship—lower than Iran’s asking rate of $14 million, in accordance to a Western official briefed on the talks. The South Korean International Ministry didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Iran detained the Hankuk Chemi’s captain until eventually Friday. Some of the crew customers experienced been introduced earlier and went again to South Korea, while other folks stayed on the ship for servicing purposes.
“The overall health of the crew and captain are sound. The ship’s cargo is also in superior issue,” the South Korean International Ministry said. A spokesman for Tehran’s International Ministry said the ship was introduced “following the completion of investigations” of its alleged misconduct.
