Last month British marines seized an Iranian tanker, named Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion it was taking 2.1 million barrels of oil to Syria – in breach of an EU arms embargo. Iranian media reported the tanker was due to be released on Tuesday evening, but a senior official has said the claims are “untrue”. A court in Gibraltar will decide the fate of the ship on Thursday, when an order for its detention lapses.

The foreign office has said the ship’s status was a matter concerning the British Mediterranean territory.

A spokesperson said: “The investigations being conducted around the Grace 1 are a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.

“As this is an ongoing investigation we are unable to comment further.”

The seizure of Grace 1 on July 4 has worsened tensions between the UK and Iran.

Shortly after the incident Iran captured the British-flagged Stena Impero in the strategic Strait of Hormuz for breaking “international maritime rules”.

All of the ship’s crew were detained and they are still to be released.

In a further escalation of tensions, Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Tehran would launch legal action over the vessel’s alleged breaches of maritime law.

Britain have said there would be serious consequences if Iran did not release the British vessel.

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Iran have said there is no link been the two boat seizures.

The capture of Grace 1 was condemned by Iran as “piracy” and warned that the interception would not go unanswered.

But Jail Eslami, deputy head of Iran’s port authority, has said that Britain has shown an interest in resolving the dispute, according to state news agency IRNA.

Mr Eslami said: “Efforts from Iran and the port organisation have been made for the release of this ship.

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“I hope this problem will be resolved in the near future and that the ship can continue its movement with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Tensions have Iran and the West have been rising since the Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran following its abandonment of the nuclear deal.

Tehran has been seeking to put pressure on other international signatories to get the Americans to lift this, as it has been crippling the economy.

Britain has joined forces with US President Donald Trump to establish a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect vessels, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will not participate in sanctions against the Middle East nation.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb said: “Our aim is to build the broadest international support to uphold freedom of navigation in the region, as protected under international law.

“Our approach to Iran hasn’t changed.

“We remain committed to working with Iran and our international partners to de-escalate the situation and maintain the nuclear deal.”

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