South Korean tanker once held by Iran now on the move

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January.

A South Korean oil tanker amid a dispute over billions of dollars held in Seoul was freed and sailed away early on Friday, just hours ahead of further talks between Tehran and world powers over its tattered nuclear deal. MarineTraffic.com data showed the MT Hankuk Chemi leaving Bandar Abbas in the early morning hours. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January. The ministry says the Hankuk Chemi left an Iranian port at around 6 a.m. local time after completing an administrative process.