Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers Amid Hormuz Standoff Escalation

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority has blacklisted 45 tankers for violating rules governing passage through the Hormuz strait, including vessels owned by shipping companies tied to Saudi Arabia's Bahri and ADNOC Logistics & Services.

Tehran is retaliating against Washington's looming 'economic D-Day', which threatens to impose new sanctions on Iran. The blacklist includes ships conducting ship-to-ship transfers with any of the 45 named tankers, and Iran may extend it further.

Average oil shipments through Hormuz have climbed above 8 million barrels per day, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright. However, Iranian crude shipments to Asia have already dried up, even before new US measures are announced.