US Blockade Strands Iranian Crude, Threatening Oil Exports

The US naval blockade has effectively stranded Iranian crude inside the Gulf, limiting the value of both export routes from the country's southern port city of Jask and Kharg.

Oil exports from Jask fell to zero in the first week of September, down from 76k bbl/d in July and 33k bbl/d in August.

Dalga Khatinoglu, an expert on Iran's energy issues, explained that both Jask and Kharg, along with several smaller Iranian oil terminals, are within the area covered by the US naval blockade.

'There is effectively no way for Iran to move crude outside the blockade line from any of its terminals,' Khatinoglu said.