Iran sends tankers loaded with oil past US military blockade
BBC News 2026-06-17 13:27:47
Context: Iran has sent three tankers loaded with crude oil past the US military blockade in the Gulf of Oman, with ship-tracking data showing the vessels crossed into the Arabian Sea on Wednesday morning. The tankers, owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, which has been sanctioned by the US Treasury, are carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of crude oil. This development comes as the US and Iran are expected to sign a deal in Switzerland on Friday.
Key Facts
- Three Iranian tankers, Diona, Hero II, and Sonia I, loaded with crude oil, passed the US blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, with two broadcasting their locations as they crossed and a third switching on its location tracker just past the line.
- The tankers, owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, which has been sanctioned by the US Treasury, are carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of crude oil, according to TankerTrackers.com.
- The US blockade has cut Iran's crude exports to the lowest amount in six years, at 260,000 barrels per day in May, less than a fifth of the 2025 average of 1.67 million barrels per day, data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows.
- Michelle Wiese Bockman, senior analyst at Windward Maritime Intelligence, said that this is a sign that Iran is confident the blockade is over, even if the US has insisted it will be in place until Friday.
- The tankers had not broadcast their locations since March, and if they make it to their destination, this will be Iran's first oil exports for two months, according to TankerTrackers.com.