Iranian Oil Exports Grind to a Halt as US Blockade Takes Effect

Iran's oil exports are being severely disrupted by the renewed US naval blockade in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. As of Tuesday, over 50 Iranian oil tankers were idling along the country's coastline, up from 45 a week earlier and 36 when the blockade was reinstated on July 14.

The buildup is a sign that the blockade is effective in impeding the export of oil, according to Charlie Brown, an adviser to nonprofit group United Against Nuclear Iran. Tankers are still able to load LPG and other petroleum products from Iranian ports, but it's likely smaller vessels will try to get past the blockade.

Iranian crude tankers have not been able to successfully leave the Gulf of Oman without encountering US enforcement since the blockade was reinstated, according to UANI. However, some ships may be turning off their transponders to avoid detection.