Iranian Tankers Challenge US Blockade
Three Iranian tankers, laden with crude oil, have reportedly traversed the US blockade line within the Gulf of Oman. This development comes as ship-tracking data indicates two of the vessels broadcast their locations during the crossing, with a third activating its tracker shortly after passing the designated line.
This movement occurs despite the US Navy's confirmation that the blockade on Iranian ports would remain active until a deal with Iran is formally signed, an event anticipated to take place in Switzerland on Friday. This stance from the US military contradicts an earlier announcement by President Donald Trump regarding the "immediate removal" of the blockade.
Industry Analysts Weigh In
"This a sign that Iran is confident the blockade is over, even if the US has insisted it will be in place until Friday," stated Michelle Wiese Bockman, a senior analyst at Windward Maritime Intelligence, in an interview with BBC Verify.
The tankers in question—Diona, Hero II, and Sonia I—are all flagged under Iran and are owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). Both NITC and its vessels are subject to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury. These sanctions are part of broader US measures against Iran, which cite concerns over its nuclear program, alleged support for groups designated as terrorist organizations by Washington, and purported human rights abuses.
Vessel Movements and Cargo Details
- MarineTraffic data shows that Hero II and Sonia I departed Iran's Chabahar port on Tuesday, navigating past the US blockade line into the Arabian Sea in the early hours of Wednesday.
- Diona began broadcasting its location just beyond the US blockade line, which extends from Oman's eastern tip to the Iranian coast, on Tuesday.
- Windward Maritime Intelligence notes this marks the first time these specific Iranian tankers have broadcast their locations since March.
- If these vessels reach their intended destinations, it would signify Iran's first oil exports in two months, according to TankerTrackers.com.
- The three ships are collectively transporting approximately 3.8 million barrels of crude oil. Their planned destinations are not currently being broadcast.
The US blockade has significantly impacted Iran's crude exports, reducing them to 260,000 barrels per day in May. This figure represents less than a fifth of the 2025 average of 1.67 million barrels per day, as reported by maritime intelligence firm Kpler.
Previous Interceptions and Increased Activity
The US has previously enforced its blockade outside the immediate Gulf region. BBC Verify has documented instances of American forces intercepting Iran-linked vessels in the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles from the Gulf.
Another NITC-owned crude oil tanker, Stream, is currently approaching the US blockade line, apparently heading towards Iran. This unladen tanker has been observed circling off the Pakistani port of Karachi since May 8, according to ship-tracking data.
Following the announcement of the US deal with Iran, campaign and monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has observed a "noticeably more active" global presence of Iranian-linked tankers and cargo ships.
Furthermore, two other NITC crude oil tankers, Dan and Sinopa, began broadcasting their positions in the Strait of Malacca on Tuesday. These vessels had not been visible on public ship-tracking platforms since early April and now appear to be sailing towards Iran.
"Iran is wasting no time getting its tankers back into circulation," Bockman commented.
Source: Iran sends tankers loaded with oil past US military blockade