U.S. Blockade Leaves 50 Iranian Oil Tankers Stranded

The U.S. naval blockade continues to disrupt Iran’s oil exports, leaving at least 50 tankers loaded with Iranian oil stranded near the country’s coastline. According to a report by Bloomberg, published on October 5, 2026, the number of stalled tankers has remained unchanged over the past two months. These vessels primarily carry crude oil, refined petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Most are anchored east of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, with additional tankers positioned further south.

Meanwhile, empty vessels subject to the blockade are stranded in Indo-Pacific anchorages, including 20 Iranian-flagged ships near Sri Lanka and one near Oman, instead of returning to Iranian ports. Bloomberg’s preliminary estimates, based on vessel-tracking data, reveal that Iran loaded zero crude oil onto tankers in September 2026, marking the first month without crude oil loading since the war began in March 2026.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in an interview with Axios that the Islamic Republic will, for the first time in history, have zero oil on the water this week. The advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) highlighted the ongoing impact of the blockade, which has effectively halted Iran’s oil exports.