The Islamic Republic says it has warned the United States against any attempt at seizing an Iran-headed supertanker that had been detained by the UK and Gibraltar.

Gibraltar on Sunday rejected a US demand to seize an Iranian oil tanker at the center of a diplomatic dispute as it prepared to leave the British overseas territory after weeks of detention.

Iran’s defense minister warned the UK to expect a reaction to its act of “maritime banditry” after the British navy seized an Iranian supertanker in the Strait of Gibraltar.