According to IRNA, Mohammed Javad Zarif after meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on Monday, told reporters in response to a question about the seizure of oil tanker Grace-1 (Adrian Darya-1): “We have always said that seizure of Adrian Daya-1 was illegal and had no legal basis.”

"Iran is not committed to EU decisions and Europe is not seeking to impose its decisions on any country outside the EU," he said, stressing that Iran's oil sales were not sanctioned by any international body.

The Foreign Minister continued: "The seizure of the Iranian oil tanker by Gibraltar and the United Kingdom has no basis. We are pleased that this seizure is over and hopefully will lead to a reduction in tensions, although we do see the United States seeking to raise the level of tension and has now received a purely political ruling from the court regarding the vessel.”

Zarif said: "Because of the US sanctions, we cannot be clear about our tankers' destinations, because the US is illegally trying to persecute buyer countries."

Stating that the US sanctions were against the Iranian people, Mr. Zarif added: "In the economic war, ordinary people are the target. What the US is doing against us is a war. In military warfare, soldiers are targeted, although ordinary civilians on the periphery may be harmed, too.”