Iran Frees South Korean Ship it Held Amid Funds Dispute

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - A South Korean oil tanker held for months by Iran amid a dispute over billions of dollars seized by Seoul was freed and sailed away early 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. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Saeed Khatibzadeh, later confirmed that Iran had released the vessel.