Iranian Oil Exports Continue Amid US Naval Blockade in Persian Gulf

Analytics firm Vortexa reported that more than 10 million barrels of Iranian crude oil departed the Persian Gulf following the imposition of a US naval blockade. The firm tracked 34 tanker movements over a one-week period, including six tankers loaded with Iranian oil.

Among 19 outbound ships from the Persian Gulf since early last week, 17 carried cargo, according to satellite tracking data. Vortexa noted that many ships switched off transponders during these movements. The Hero II was last spotted over a month earlier in the Strait of Malacca, and the Hedy's most recent signal was off Khor Fakkan in late February.

Destinations for these cargoes were not specified, though most Iranian crude typically goes to China, with India receiving two consignments recently before a US waiver expired.

vessels were observed near the Strait of Hormuz.

The G Summer, a small LPG carrier under US sanctions, passed through on Tuesday and moved beyond the blockade zone. The Gambia-flagged Lian Star crossed the same day and positioned near the boundary, sailing along Iran's coastline. The Atlantis II, a sanctioned long-range fuel tanker, headed toward the strait late Tuesday and reached near Larak Island.

It was unclear if it carried cargo. The LPG tanker Sevan approached Hormuz, listing Sharjah in the UAE as its destination, despite prior transports of Iranian cargo. The medium-range tanker Ocean Jewel, Chinese-owned and operated, was nearby with no known ties to Iran.

Equasis database lists Al Anchor Ship Management FZE in the UAE as manager of Atlantis II, with ownership at the same address. Anka Energy & Logistics Co. in Dubai owns and operates LPG Sevan, while Ocean Jewel Shipping Co. in Shanghai manages the Ocean Jewel.

The US naval blockade was imposed recently, according to the report. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran and confirmed the blockade would remain in place.