Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers Amid Escalating Standoff with Washington

The standoff between Iran and Washington has escalated as Tehran blacklisted 45 tankers using the Strait of Hormuz. The list includes vessels owned by shipping companies tied to Saudi Arabia's Bahri and ADNOC Logistics & Services, including its Navig8 Tankers subsidiary.

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority claims these vessels have violated rules governing passage through the strait and threatens fines, detention, and cargo confiscation. This move comes as Washington prepares new economic measures against Iran.

The blacklist may be extended beyond these 45 vessels, with ships conducting ship-to-ship transfers with any of them also being targeted. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported a seven-day average of oil leaving Hormuz had climbed above 8 million barrels per day.