Oil Tankers Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Tensions

Three supertankers laden with oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 12, 2026, according to shipping data, moving through the critical waterway amid a fragile truce between the United States and Iran.

The vessels identified as having exited the region are the Liberia-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Serifos and two China-flagged VLCCs, the Cospearl Lake and the He Rong Hai. Data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) indicates that these ships utilized the Hormuz Passage trial anchorage, a route designed to bypass Iran’s Larak Island.

Each of the three vessels is capable of transporting 2 million barrels of oil. The Serifos is chartered by PTT, a state-owned energy firm in Thailand. According to data from LSEG and the analytics firm Kpler, the Serifos is one of seven vessels for which Malaysia sought transit clearance from Iran.

The Serifos carried crude oil loaded from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in early March. LSEG and Kpler data indicate the vessel is expected to arrive at the Malacca Port in Malaysia on April 21, 2026.

Impact of the Blockade and Conflict

The transit follows a period of severe disruption after Iran blockaded the strait at the end of February 2026. The blockade coincided with the start of a war between Iran and a coalition involving the United States and Israel.

The closure of the strait, which serves as a chokepoint for approximately 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas and oil shipments, caused a sharp spike in global energy prices. Crude oil prices rose past $100 a barrel during the height of the disruption.

Iraq has expressed gratitude to Iran for allowing tankers to transit the strait amid the ongoing tensions.

Fragile Ceasefire and Market Uncertainty

While a temporary ceasefire was established following weeks of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, its stability remains uncertain. BBC Verify analysis indicates that only a few vessels have successfully crossed the strait since the ceasefire deal was reached.

Marine tracking data shows that some fully loaded supertankers have reversed course before entering the strait, while other vessels have accelerated their departure from the Gulf. Shipping companies are acting with caution as they weigh the risks of navigating the region during a period of stalled diplomatic negotiations and rising mistrust.

Industry experts note that uncertainty alone has been sufficient to alter shipping patterns, disrupt schedules, and increase insurance costs for operators in the region.

Warnings from Tehran

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued warnings to maritime operators. On March 9, 2026, spokesman Esmail Baghaei, who also serves as the head of the Center for Public Diplomacy, stated that all tankers and maritime navigation must be very careful as long as the situation remains insecure.

Baghaei defended Iranian military actions against Gulf states, asserting that targeting assets and military bases belonging to the United States in the region is legitimate under international law.

The Iranian official further stated that his nation is preparing for various scenarios, including a potential ground invasion, and that Iran would continue to fight against the U.S. And Israel as long as it takes.

The current movements of tankers are being closely watched by global markets, as these patterns often serve as early indicators of broader geopolitical risks affecting global trade and energy security.