Gibraltar has released a supertanker, which was seized in the Mediterranean last month while carrying Iranian oil, rebuffing a US request not to do so.

A political commentator says Washington’s request for Gibraltar to extend the detention of Grace one shows the US was behind the seizure of the oil tanker. 

This edition of The Debate, Press TV hosts discussions about the release of Grace 1 oil tanker carrying Iranian oil after a court ruling in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar releases an Iranian-operated supertanker, which had been seized by the UK on July 4, despite pressure by the US for the vessel’s continued detainment.

Gibraltar says the US has applied to seize an Iranian oil tanker, which is being held in the British overseas territory, on unknown grounds.

There was mounting speculation on Tuesday that the supertanker carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, Grace 1, would be released Tuesday evening. 

Speculations over release of a detained Iranian oil tanker have grown ahead of a hearing on August 15.

The US seems to be using the UK as bait in orchestrating the Gibraltar Tanker incident carrying Iranian oil so that it is not alone in antagonism against Iran.

Britain’s official line on the super-tanker Grace 1 is fast unravelling. In yesterday’s proceedings in the House of Commons, a leading labour shadow minister fatally undermined the government’s position.

Gibraltar's attorney general says the territory's supreme court has ruled that an Iranian tanker illegally seized by by British troops can be detained for 30 more days.