Three Iranian crude tankers sanctioned by the United States have crossed the US-imposed blockade around Iranian ports without incident, in a development that could signal a relaxation of restrictions ahead of a planned ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.
According to vessel tracking data, National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCCs Diona and Hero 2 successfully transited the blockade, based on AIS tracking data and satellite imagery. A third vessel, the NITC Suezmax Sonia 1, also cleared the blockade on Wednesday.
AIS data showed all three tankers sailing beyond the blockade line, with both Hero 2 and Sonia 1 departing from the Iranian port of Chabahar.
The vessels are all subject to US sanctions under the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran programme.
All three tankers are reportedly fully laden, suggesting they are carrying a combined cargo of roughly five million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
The US blockade has been in place since 13 April and has had a dramatic impact on Iran’s oil exports.
Data from United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) showed Iranian exports plunging by 93 per cent in May, falling to just 2.01 million barrels from 29.7 million barrels in April.
The apparent easing of enforcement comes despite guidance issued by the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) on 15 June stating that the blockade would remain in force pending implementation of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, scheduled for 19 June.
Mariners were advised not to attempt a transit unless explicitly authorised. The passage of the three sanctioned tankers is therefore likely to fuel speculation that restrictions are already being quietly relaxed ahead of the ceasefire taking effect.