ERBIL — After Gibraltar lifted the detention order on an Iranian oil tanker, Washington issued a warrant to seize the vessel on the ground of violating sanctions.

British Royal Marines seized the tanker carrying 2.1 million barrels of oil earlier on 4th July, saying the vessel had violated the European Union sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Following official communications, Gibraltar released the oil tanker, saying that Tehran had officially ensured that the shipment will not go to Syria.

However, federal court in Washington has now issued a warrant to seize the tanker, the oil it carries and nearly $1 million, Reuters reported.

“A network of front companies allegedly laundered millions of dollars in support of such shipments,” the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jessie Liu, said in a news release.

“The scheme involves multiple parties affiliated with the IRGC and furthered by the deceptive voyages of the Grace 1.”