Russian tanker held in Greece for seven months discharges cargo in Syria

…Now US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) says the former Pegas has discharged 700,000 barrels of crude in Banias. The tanker was released last month in coordination with the freeing of the two Greek ships. The cargo has previously been reported as Iranian in origin. Greece confirmed it detained the vessel due to European Union sanctions against Russia, however. UANI chief of staff Claire Jungman told Reuters that Iran’s shipments to Syria “are regarded as a way of strengthening the country’s regional position and are also a major part of the regime’s survival strategy”. The Lana’s last reported position was 21 November off Banias. Syria is undergoing heavy fuel rationing as a response to shortages.