Iran's Crude Oil Loadings Hit Zero Amid Ongoing Blockade
Iran's crude oil loadings have dropped to zero for the first time since the US-Israeli war began in February, according to preliminary data from tanker-tracking firms Kpler and Vortexa. In August, Iran loaded about 250,000 barrels per day, but this number plummeted to zero in September.
The drop in loadings comes as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that its forces had redirected 125 commercial vessels by September 30 to enforce the blockade. Ten of these vessels were redirected over the previous week.
Iran has continued supplying some Chinese buyers from floating storage near Singapore, but these reserves could decline without fresh cargoes leaving Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz was restricted after the US-Israeli strikes in February and briefly reopened under a June agreement before tensions escalated again.