Iran has boosted its crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to levels not seen since the war began, coinciding with increased shipping activity and an effort by Tehran and Washington to secure a lasting peace deal. Approximately 6 million barrels of oil are currently onboard three US-sanctioned supertankers—Elva, Virgo, and Vigor—which entered the chokepoint early Monday. These vessels are indicating their destination as waters off Singapore, a known location for the transfer of Iranian crude destined for China.
Despite Iran's claims of having shut down the waterway, millions of barrels of oil continued to flow through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. Five laden oil supertankers, with a combined capacity of 8 million barrels, were observed Saturday and Sunday entering or traveling within the strait via a route hugging Oman's coast. One of these tankers resumed automated signals after reaching the Gulf of Oman. This movement supports the US military's assertion that it can defend the southern route, contrasting with Iran's claim of broad control.
US Central Command reported on Saturday that 17 million barrels had passed through Hormuz, directly contradicting Iranian media reports of the strait's closure. A naval and shipping liaison group had previously issued a notice on Saturday confirming that vessels could transit the Omani side of the strait at any time, under specific conditions including visible location signals. This situation highlights the ongoing narrative struggle between Iran and the US regarding the strait's status, even as peace talks progress in Switzerland.
Separately, supertankers like Desh Vibhor, Desh Vaibhav, and Sanmar Herald were sighted in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea on Sunday, having last signaled attempts to cross the Strait of Hormuz late Friday. These tankers, bearing Indian ownership or bound for India, collectively carried about 6 million barrels of Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil and appeared to use the route near Iran's Qeshm island, suggesting adherence to a Tehran-approved passage. Empty tankers were also seen entering the Persian Gulf via the Omani coast, including a very large gas carrier from Duqum.
