Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers Continue to Evade US Blockade

In August, President Trump launched an unprecedented 'Economic D-Day' operation against Iran. This move followed months of escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian regime forces have repeatedly targeted commercial shipping and Gulf States.

According to data from the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), 997 vessels have successfully transited the Strait since June 18, with an average of 28.25 vessels per day facilitated by U.S. forces in September alone.

However, despite these efforts, Iranian oil-laden tankers continue to cluster along the Iranian coastline due to the reinstated U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. At least 53 such tankers are currently operating in this manner, with only eight handymax-size vessels carrying Iranian LPG and naphtha successfully passing the blockade line since July 12.

UANI has also tracked at least 38 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings since the U.S. reinstated the maritime blockade on July 14, with eight of these originating from Kharg Island, Iran. The presence of these tankers in the region raises concerns about ongoing illicit activities and the effectiveness of current sanctions efforts.