Iran Evades US Blockade with Secret Oil Shipments
Iran has continued to export crude oil despite a US blockade, according to data analytics firm Vortexa. Between April 13 and 21, approximately 10.7 million barrels of Iranian crude crossed through the Strait of Hormuz and exited the blockaded area.
The shipments were carried out on six tankers that had their AIS (Automatic Identification System) data switched off. The US blockade was implemented on April 13, with Vortexa noting that it is not necessarily enforced near Iranian ports or within the Strait of Hormuz, but rather around a 300-mile radius to the west.
Vortexa recorded a total of 35 transits through the US blockade from April 13 to 22, involving Iran-linked or sanctioned vessels for both inbound and outbound journeys. Since the blockade took effect, Iranian traffic through the Strait has declined, averaging 1-2 tankers per day between April 13 and 21, down from around 2-3 per day in the previous 30 days.