3 Iranian Tankers Carrying 3.8 Million Barrels Cross US Blockade Line as Exports Resume
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
3 Iranian Tankers Carrying 3.8 Million Barrels Cross US Blockade Line as Exports Resume
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
Summary
Three Iran-flagged tankers — Diona, Hero II and Sonia I — moved past the US blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, carrying a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude.
Ship-tracking data showed two vessels broadcasting as they crossed and a third switching on just beyond the line, signaling Tehran's confidence the blockade is effectively ending despite US insistence it remains until Friday's Switzerland deal signing.
Those cargoes would mark Iran's first oil exports in two months if delivered, after the blockade drove May crude exports down to 260,000 barrels a day from a 2025 average of 1.67 million.
Activity is widening beyond the three ships: another NITC tanker is nearing the blockade line, and two more reappeared in the Strait of Malacca after months offline, suggesting Iran is rapidly returning sanctioned tankers to service.