PhD in International Law of Allameh Tabatabai University
Abstract
On July 4, 2019, the British Navy seized “Grace I”, carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian oil, by claiming it entered the European Union’s borders by crossing the Gibraltar Territorial Sea and violating the EU sanctions by transporting oil to Syria. The Strait of Gibraltar has 6 miles of the territorial sea, of which 3 miles claim the Gibraltar territorial sea. Also, there is a right of transit passage in the area. In spite of the announcement of the UK on the place of seizure, it is unlikely that “Grace I” would prefer to cross the Gibraltar territorial sea, despite the negative atmosphere against Iran in the international community, though she could have crossed the area which is beyond Gibraltar territorial sea. Therefore, the UK has committed an internationally wrongful act by seizing the "Grace I" outside the EU's borders where EU regulations are certainly not applicable, which provides international responsibility for this state.
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