Iran to Offload Crude from Detained "Advantage Sweet" Tanker

The semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday that Iran will offload approximately $50 million worth of crude oil from the "Advantage Sweet" tanker, registered under the Marshall Islands, which was seized by the Iranian military in April 2023. The offloading follows a court order issued by the Iranian judiciary stating that "this step is a response to U.S. sanctions that prevent the sale of essential medications for Iranians suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare skin disease." The "Advantage Sweet" is a Suezmax crude oil tanker that was chartered by the American company Chevron and was taken over by the Iranian military last April following an alleged collision with an Iranian boat. The report did not specify whether Iran's seizure of the oil from the tanker would contribute to the treatment of these patients.