Iran has blacklisted 45 tankers for allegedly violating its rules for crossing the Strait of Hormuz and warned that action would be taken against vessels transferring cargoes with them.
The blacklisted vessels could face fines, detention and cargo confiscation, according to a post on X by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a body recently established by Iran to manage the strategic waterway.
The restricted list includes very large crude carriers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, as well as clean product vessels.
The authority did not specify the rules the vessels allegedly violated, but Iran has previously said shipowners must obtain clearance to transit the strait and pay for security and other services.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Washington recently warned Iran of “the toughest sanctions in history”, while Tehran said any new U.S. threats would receive a “devastating” response.
The U.S. has also imposed a naval blockade on Iran-related shipping.
The Gulf supplied about 20 per cent of the world’s daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas before the conflict disrupted tanker traffic.
U.S.-coordinated efforts to move tankers through the Strait of Hormuz have helped restore some export volumes. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on Friday that the seven-day average of oil leaving the strait had risen above eight million barrels per day.
“Make no mistake, thanks to the U.S. Navy, oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz,” Wright said.
