Tehran, Apr 22: Reports on Wednesday revealed at least 34 tankers tied to Iran have evaded the U.S. blockade since it started, including some loaded with Iranian oil.
Washington began enforcing the blockade on April 13, targeting all ships entering or leaving Iran’s coastal waters. By April 16, the restrictions had widened to include any Iranian vessels on the open seas, as well as ships transporting goods that could support Iran’s war efforts.
ALSO READ: Iran rejects US conditions for negotiations; Trump unilaterally extended ceasefire: IRIB
So far, American forces have seized one container ship in the Gulf of Oman and boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indo-Pacific.
On Tuesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the US forces have directed 28 vessels to turn around or return since the start of the blockade of Iranian ports.
In a CNBC interview the same day, US President Donald Trump said, “The blockade has been a tremendous success,” adding that he would not lift the US embargo on the Strait of Hormuz until Washington reached a “final deal” with Iran.
Despite these efforts, dozens of ships have avoided the blockade, according to the report. At least 19 tankers tied to Iran have managed to leave the Gulf, while 15 others have entered it from the Arabian Sea en route to Iran.
Among those departing, at least six were reportedly carrying Iranian crude, totalling 10.7 million barrels. Since Iranian oil is typically sold below Brent crude prices, a $10 per barrel discount would put the estimated value of that shipment at roughly $910 million.
The conflict between Washington and Iran began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and US assets and bases across the Middle East.
Islamabad later hosted high-level talks between Washington and Tehran on April 11–12, the first since the two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1979.
ALSO READ: Court reserves order on Er Rashid’s interim bail plea, verdict on April 24
Iran had briefly lifted its control over the Strait of Hormuz last Friday but reinstated it a day later after Trump said the blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. (Input: Financial Times & TRT)
