U.S. Blockade Strands At Least 50 Iranian Tankers In Gulf

A U.S. maritime blockade has stranded at least 50 Iranian tankers laden with oil inside the Persian Gulf near Iran’s coastline, according to a shipping update published by the policy organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI).

The U.S. Navy reinstated the blockade in the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz in mid-July following the collapse of diplomatic negotiations. The enforcement aims to push Iran's oil exports to zero and secure leverage in ongoing talks.

Tanker Distribution and Loadings

As of early October, UANI identified at least 50 vessels laden with Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas operating along the Iranian coastline. A cluster of 16 laden tankers remains near Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal in the Gulf. Eleven of these vessels are anchored east of Kharg, while five are located further south.

Since the maritime blockade was reinstated on July 14, UANI tracked at least 39 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, including eight originating from Kharg Island. None of these vessels have managed to bypass the blockade.

Regional Impact

Meanwhile, empty Iran-flagged tankers that completed ship-to-ship transfers are loitering at anchorages across the Indo-Pacific rather than returning to Iranian ports due to the U.S. enforcement, the non-profit reported.

While public statements from Iran indicate defiance, vessel-tracking services show a significant decline in export volumes. Preliminary tanker-tracking estimates compiled by Bloomberg indicate that Iran's crude oil loadings fell to 250,000 barrels per day in August, followed by zero loadings in September for the first time since the conflict began.

Key facts

• At least 50 Iranian tankers laden with oil are stranded inside the Persian Gulf.
• The U.S. Navy reinstated the blockade in mid-July following the collapse of diplomatic negotiations.
• Sixteen laden tankers remain clustered near Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal.
• Preliminary estimates indicate zero Iranian crude oil loadings in September.