Iranian vessels cross US naval blockade without incident in Gulf of Oman
The departures signal possible easing of enforcement as shipowners position for an estimated 118 laden tankers that could leave within 15 days, Kpler said.
- On Wednesday, three National Iranian Tanker Company supertankers carrying nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil exited the U.S. Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such outbound shipment in two months.
- The United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday to end their four-month war, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and waive sanctions on oil sales.
- Optimism regarding the reopening sent Brent North Sea crude prices down to $78.74 a barrel on Wednesday, though Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at BIMCO, noted most shipowners are "cautiously awaiting more details" before planning new transits.
- Despite initial departures, a Joint Maritime Information Center advisory confirmed that measures targeting Iranian shipping remain in effect until June 19, as the U.S. Navy reminded the industry that "nothing has changed and will not until the agreement is signed."
- Fresh Israeli strikes in south Lebanon have complicated the diplomatic thaw, as analysts warn that the parallel conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah presents the biggest threat to the fragile agreement between Washington and Tehran.
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Several Iranian oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Ormuz in recent hours, becoming the first to do so since the United States imposed a blockade on the area in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East, after Tehran and Washington announced Sunday a preliminary agreement to end the war.Continue reading....
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The agreement between the US and Iran already has effect. First oil tankers are sighted, who drive again through the road of Hormus after a long blockade.
It is Iran's first crude oil exports since the US blockade two months ago.
This is two days before the signing of an agreement between Tehran and Washington to stop the war and start negotiations on sensitive issues, from American sanctions to Iran's nuclear power. - IN DIRECT - Middle East: Iranian oil tankers have crossed the US (International) blockade zone.
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