TEHRAN – An Iranian court has ordered authorities to confiscate crude from an American tanker that was seized in the Sea of Oman back in December.

The ruling followed a lawsuit by Iranian patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), who argued that Washington’s unilateral sanctions against Iran have been preventing them from receiving adequate medical care. They said the sanctions have caused them “severe physical and mental harm.”

EB is a rare genetic skin disorder characterized by extremely fragile skin that blisters and tears from minor friction or trauma. It is often referred to as the "butterfly skin" disease due to the delicate nature of the skin. 

As there are currently no treatments for the disease, patients rely on special bandages and dressings to cope with its debilitating symptoms. EB patients in Iran, however, have been unable to manage their wounds as Mölnlycke Health Care – a Swedish medical equipment company based in Gothenburg and one of the only places manufacturing the dressings– has been refusing to sell them to Iran due to U.S. sanctions. 

Washington reinstated crippling sanctions against Iran in 2018, after unilaterally withdrawing from a United Nations-endorsed nuclear agreement with Tehran and five other nations. Though the U.S. claims its sanctions do not target food and medicine, companies around the world have been refraining from engaging with Iran out of fear of getting affected by the same measures.

The move has especially deprived EB patients of essential medical items, killed many of them, and inflicted serious physical injuries such as amputation to some of the patients.

The confiscated oil cargo is believed to be worth 50 million dollars.  A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker named Advantage Sweet was responsible for transporting it in the Persian Gulf. It was seized by Iran’s Navy following the court order.