Three Iranian tankers loaded with crude oil have passed the U.S. blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, ship‑tracking data shows.
Two of the vessels were broadcasting their positions as they crossed the line, while a third activated its GPS tracker just after the border.
The U.S. Navy said the blockade would stay in force until a deal with Iran is finalised, scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, despite President Trump calling for its immediate removal.
Senior analyst Michelle Wiese Bockman of Windward Maritime Intelligence said the convoy’s passage demonstrates Iran’s confidence that the blockade is effectively lifted.
All three tankers—Diona, Hero II and Sonia I—belong to the National Iranian Tanker Company, which and its vessels have been sanctioned by the Treasury.
The ships were loaded with a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude, and none are currently showing a final destination.
The U.S. blockade has already cut Iran’s crude exports to about 260,000 barrels a day in May, far below the 1.67 million barrels per day average of 2025.
Earlier this week, other Iranian tankers, Dan and Sinopa, started transmitting again in the Strait of Malacca, signalling a surge in global activity after the announcement of a sanctions deal.
A U.S. Department of Defense helicopter photo shows a helicopter landing on a tanker deck, a reminder of the potential for interception outside the Gulf.
