Photo Credit: Reuters
Oil tankers are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a planned US blockade later on Monday, following the collapse of weekend peace talks between the United States and Iran, according to shipping data.
President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would begin enforcing the blockade, escalating tensions after negotiations failed to secure an agreement to end the conflict and putting a fragile two-week ceasefire at risk.
US Central Command said the blockade would take effect at 10am ET (9pm Thailand time) on Monday, targeting all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The measure will be applied to ships of all nationalities operating in Iranian coastal areas, including ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
However, US forces said they would not interfere with vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian ports, with further guidance to be issued to commercial shipping before enforcement begins.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any military vessels approaching the strait would be seen as violating the ceasefire and would face a strong response.
Shipping data showed that Pakistan-flagged tankers Shalamar and Khairpur entered the Gulf on Sunday. Shalamar is heading to the United Arab Emirates to load Das crude, while Khairpur is bound for Kuwait to load refined products.
Meanwhile, the Liberia-flagged VLCC Mombasa B also passed through the strait and is currently ballasting in the Gulf. Another tanker, the Malta-flagged Agios Fanourios I, attempted to enter the Gulf but later turned back and is now anchored near the Gulf of Oman, with plans to head to Iraq.
Despite rising tensions, three fully loaded supertankers successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, marking the first departures since the ceasefire agreement was reached last week.