{"id":18038,"date":"2026-07-23T01:20:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T01:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/greek-tanker-kavomaleas-in-iranian-custody-as-greece-blocks-eus-21st-russia-sanctions-package-greek-city-times\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T01:20:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T01:20:05","slug":"greek-tanker-kavomaleas-in-iranian-custody-as-greece-blocks-eus-21st-russia-sanctions-package-greek-city-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/greek-tanker-kavomaleas-in-iranian-custody-as-greece-blocks-eus-21st-russia-sanctions-package-greek-city-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Greek Tanker Kavomaleas in Iranian Custody as Greece Blocks EU\u2019s 21st Russia Sanctions Package \u2013 Greek City Times"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A Greek-operated product tanker that was attacked by an Iranian strike last weekend has reportedly been towed into Iranian-controlled waters in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n

The vessel, identified as the Dynacom-owned tanker Kavomaleas<\/strong>, was struck twice in the early hours of Monday near Kumzar, Oman. The attacks caused a serious fire in the engine room, forcing the crew to abandon ship. All crew members were safely rescued by a tugboat, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).<\/p>\n

Satellite imagery from Tuesday shows the Kavomaleas has been moved to the northern (Iranian) side of the strait, near Larak Island \u2014 an area controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. A significant oil spill is visible trailing from the vessel\u2019s port side.<\/p>\n

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The Kavomaleas, a one-year-old ship, had been due to pick up more than 500,000 barrels of oil in the Gulf \u00a9 Jinwoo Jung\/Marine Traffic
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Dynacom, part of the shipping empire of prominent Greek shipowner George Procopiou<\/strong>, confirmed it did not authorize any towing operation and is working to verify the tanker\u2019s current status. The company had previously noted that any salvage attempt by friendly tugs would carry a high risk of further Iranian attack.<\/p>\n

Procopiou, known for his willingness to operate in high-risk trading routes, recently remarked that \u201cGreece has a tradition of breaking blockades,\u201d highlighting the bold nature of such operations.<\/p>\n

With the crew already safely evacuated, a hostage situation has been avoided for now. However, Iran is currently holding two other foreign-flagged vessels and their crews, using them as leverage in ongoing regional tensions.<\/p>\n

Greek Shipping Under Fire Companies like Dynacom operate specialized ice-class LNG carriers vital for projects such as Yamal LNG. Greek officials maintain the proposed EU restrictions would punish legitimate Greek commercial activity while countries like Spain and France continue large-scale imports of Russian LNG.<\/p>\n