US blockade leaves 50 Iranian oil tankers stranded near coast

The US blockade of Iran has led to a significant bottleneck of oil tankers along the country’s coast, with at least 50 vessels stranded near Iran. According to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a nonprofit group, this number has remained largely unchanged over the past two months. The tankers are primarily carrying crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas.

Additionally, empty vessels are avoiding returning to Iranian ports due to the blockade, instead loitering at anchorages across the Indo-Pacific. UANI reports that 20 Iran-flagged vessels are currently off Sri Lanka, while one is off Oman.

The blockade, imposed by Washington, aims to increase economic pressure on Tehran and force its capitulation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that Iran would have no oil on the water this week 'for the first time in history,' as reported in an interview with Axios. The US has redirected a total of 130 vessels so far, according to official tallies.