A products tanker that arguably serves as a prime example of Iran’s clandestine sanctions-busting shipping operations was anchored off the Indian shiprecycling centre of Alang this week to await beaching.

Brokers say the 47,200-dwt medium-range two (MR2) products tanker Sirus 1 (built 1992) has been sold "as is" in Bandar Abbas. Its estimated scrap value is $3.5m.

A check of key shipping databases elicited no information about the ship’s owners, operators or managers.