Dozens of Iran-linked tankers reportedly bypassed US naval blockade since it began
At least 34 tankers with links to Iran have evaded the U.S. naval blockade since it came into effect on April 13
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – At least 34 tankers with links to Iran have evaded the U.S. naval blockade since it came into effect on April 13, including several carrying Iranian crude oil, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, raising questions about the blockade’s effectiveness despite Washington’s claims of success.
According to the report, at least 19 Iran-linked tankers have managed to leave the Gulf since the blockade began, while 15 others entered it from the Arabian Sea heading toward Iran.
Among those departing, at least six were reportedly carrying Iranian crude, totaling 10.7 million barrels. At a $10 per barrel discount to Brent crude — the typical markdown for Iranian oil — the estimated value of that shipment would be around $910 million.
The findings stand in contrast to President Donald Trump’s assessment Tuesday that the blockade had been “a tremendous success,” in which he also said the embargo on the Strait of Hormuz would not be lifted until Washington reached a “final deal” with Iran.
U.S. Central Command separately said on Tuesday that American forces had directed 28 vessels to turn around since the blockade began.
U.S. forces have also seized one container ship in the Gulf of Oman and boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indo-Pacific.
The blockade initially targeted all ships entering or leaving Iranian coastal waters when it launched on April 13, before expanding on April 16 to include Iranian vessels on the open seas and ships transporting goods that could support Iran’s war effort.
Iran briefly lifted its control over the Strait of Hormuz last Friday before reinstating it a day later after Trump reiterated that the port blockade would remain in place.
The conflict began February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks on U.S. assets across the Middle East.
The highest-level U.S.-Iran talks since the two countries severed ties in 1979 were held in Islamabad on April 11-12 but ended without an agreement.
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