Iranian oil tankers are clustering just shy of US blockade line
Iranian oil tankers are gathering near Chabahar, a port outside the Persian Gulf, just before the US blockade line. This clustering indicates that Iran continues to load oil onto ships despite the US efforts to restrict its exports. The situation has led to a significant decrease in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about Iran's storage capacity for crude oil.
- ▪Around six to eight supertankers were idling near Chabahar according to satellite images.
- ▪The US Navy has redirected two very large crude carriers intercepted last week in the same area.
- ▪Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is now near-zero, prompting concerns about Iran's oil production capacity.
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Iranian oil tankers are clustering just shy of US blockade lineSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxShips and boats in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, on April 20.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished Apr 28, 2026, 03:10 PMUpdated Apr 28, 2026, 03:12 PMListenTankers laden with Iranian oil are clustering off Chabahar, a port in Iran that’s outside the Persian Gulf but just shy of the US blockade line. Around six to eight supertankers were idling in waters near the port in the Gulf of Oman late last week, according to satellite images and analyses from United Against Nuclear Iran and maritime intelligence firm Windward, with more smaller tankers nearby.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.