Maritime monitoring firm TankerTrackers reports that several Iranian oil tankers have left an area recently under U.S. naval blockade. The giant tankers Diona and Hero2 of the National Iranian Oil Company carried a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude to their destinations — the first Iranian oil exports in roughly two months, according to the firm. An additional tanker crossed with about 1 million barrels. The report adds to recent indications that the blockade is eroding even before a formal U.S.-Iran memorandum.
Maritime monitoring firm TankerTrackers reported Wednesday that two Iranian supertankers — Diona and Hero2, operated by the National Iranian Oil Company — have passed through an area previously under a tight U.S. naval blockade, carrying a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude oil. A third tanker crossed with roughly 1 million barrels, according to the firm.
The shipment marks the first Iranian crude exports in about two months, per TankerTrackers, and follows a series of signals in recent days that the American blockade is weakening. The Zioneer earlier reported (Wed 13:35) a third tanker departing Iran via Chabahar port past the blockade line, and (Wed 13:39) reports of a third vessel bypassing the blockade. Iranian state TV claimed Wednesday that three tankers carrying 5 million barrels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
The reports come against the backdrop of U.S.-Iran talks, with indications that a formal memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran could be signed soon. The Zioneer has noted that the blockade's apparent erosion predates any official agreement. The claim is attributed to a single tracking firm; no independent confirmation of the tankers' passage or cargo has been issued by U.S. or Iranian authorities.
2 developments
- DevelopingSanction-busting oil tanker evades US Navy blockade by disabling AIS off Iran
- StrongReport: Third oil tanker leaves Iran, sails past U.S. blockade to destination
- StrongIranian media reports three tankers, two cargo ships en route to Iran, suggesting blockade may be eroding
- ConfirmedTrump declares Iran 'finished' as 200 oil tankers cross Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake