Satellite images show activity around Iranian-flagged tanker

Satellite images released on Thursday show that a once-detained Iranian-flagged oil tanker sitting off the coast of Syria has been approached by a smaller Iranian tanker, an indication the ship could be preparing to transfer its cargo.

Images released by Maxar Technologies show the Jasmine alongside the Adrian Darya 1 on Wednesday, with mooring lines between them and a crane deployed on the larger vessel.

The Adrian Darya 1, formerly named the Grace 1, was detained off the British overseas territory of Gibraltar in July while carrying USD 130 million in crude oil, on suspicion of breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Gibraltar later released the tanker, after it said Iran promised the ship wouldn't go to Syria. The ship later sailed toward the Syrian coast, angering Britain.

There were 24 Indian crew members aboard the Grace 1 who were also released.

The oil shipment website TankerTrackers.com said on Twitter on Tuesday that the Adrian Darya 1 was postured in an STS (Ship-to-Ship) formation with a smaller Iranian-flagged Handymax (350K barrel capacity) tanker, the Jasmine. It noted this was not a confirmation of any oil transfer just yet. We'll compare imagery later.

The image it posted showed the two vessels off the coast of Syria. However, the website said on Wednesday it was ending its public coverage of the