U.S. Blockade Halts Iranian Crude Loadings in September
At least 50 tankers carrying Iranian crude oil and other cargoes are currently stranded in waters near Iran due to a U.S. maritime blockade. The blockade, aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Iran, has led to a significant disruption in the country's oil exports. According to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the number of vessels waiting near Iranian waters has remained steady over the past two months.
The stranded tankers include those carrying crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In the Persian Gulf, 11 fully loaded tankers are anchored east of Kharg Island, Iran's primary crude export hub, with an additional five waiting in southern waters. Empty tankers destined for Iran are also avoiding the blockade by anchoring near Sri Lanka and Oman.
The U.S. blockade has effectively halted Iran's crude oil exports. As of October 5, UANI reported no tankers loading crude at Kharg Island. Preliminary calculations by Bloomberg, based on vessel-tracking data, revealed that Iran did not load any crude oil onto tankers in September, marking the first time monthly crude loadings have fallen to zero since the war began in February.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Axios that Iran would, for the first time in history, have no oil held at sea this week. The blockade has already caused 130 vessels to change course, demonstrating the significant impact of the U.S. maritime restrictions on Iran's oil industry.