Iran Dodges US Blockade with Crude Exports Through Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade of Iranian ports has not deterred Iran from exporting crude oil. According to data analytics firm Vortexa, around 10.7 million barrels of Iranian crude exports crossed through the Strait of Hormuz between April 13 and 21.

The shipments were made on six crude carriers that had their AIS (Automatic Identification System) data switched off. The US blockade is not strictly enforced near Iranian ports but rather flexibly around an area about 300 miles to the West, between the Pakistani/Iranian border and Oman's western coast.

Vortexa recorded a total of 35 transits through the US blockade from April 13 to 22, involving vessels linked to Iran or sanctioned by the US. Since the blockade took effect, Iranian traffic through the Strait has decreased, averaging 1-2 tankers per day between April 13 and 21, down from around 2-3 per day in the previous 30 days.