The US Department of Justice has issued a warrant for the seizure of Iranian oil supertoner Grace 1, a day after a Gibraltar judge was allowed to leave a detained ship.

The United States has called for the seizure of the ship on Friday. Which still exists in the British Mediterranean. A seizure warrant has been issued by the Islamic Guard Corps (IRGC) to support illegal shipments from Iran to Syria, as well as a plan to illegally use the US financial system.

The warrant states that the vessel, all oil, will be confiscated based on violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and bank fraud, money laundering and counter-terrorism laws. Earlier on Friday, Iranian officials said preparations were being made to install the tanker after a Gibraltar judge ordered his release.

Jalil Eslami, deputy head of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, told Iranian state television on Friday that the name of Grace 1 was to be renamed the Iranian flag for his onward journey.