Islam Times - Tanker with Kurdish oil to unload cargo off Texas

Islam Times - The US Coast Guard has cleared a tanker carrying crude oil from Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region to unload its $100 million cargo at sea, off Texas.

The United Kalavrvta tanker left the Turkish port of Ceyhan in June and anchored in an area off the US port of Galveston on Saturday night.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Andy Kendrick said crude offloading could begin as early as Sunday, if the tanker passes the Coast Guard inspection "and there are no other issues."

Kendrick added that the Coast Guard was communicating with the US National Security Council, State and Homeland Security departments about the vessel's arrival and status, Reuters reported.

The US State Department said earlier that Washington would not intervene to block the delivery of the controversial crude.

The Iraqi government views independent Kurdish oil deals as smuggling and has threatened to sue any entity that buys Kurdish oil.

The issue is expected to fuel tensions between Washington and Baghdad.

The ship carries approximately 1 million barrels of crude, which would fetch more than $100 million at international prices.