All articles tagged with #oil tankers
The U.S. says it struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers near the Gulf of Oman to prevent port access, signaling continued enforcement of a blockade while awaiting Tehran’s response to a proposed peace deal, a move that clouds a fragile ceasefire and raises the risk of escalation.
Three supertankers exited the Strait of Hormuz amid a fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire, highlighting that the chokepoint—through which roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments move—remains active as ships like Serifos, Cospearl Lake and He Rong Hai transit via the Hormuz Passage, carrying crude from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq; shipping data from LSEG also shows other tankers heading into the Gulf while hundreds remain queued.
At a cabinet meeting, Trump claimed Iran allowed eight tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and sent two more as a ‘present’ toward peace, signaling a possible path to negotiations, though details are sparse and Iran disputes talks. U.S. officials defended the war while presenting a confidential 15-point peace framework, with options ranging from diplomacy to seizing Iran’s oil, as public opposition grows and fuel prices rise, leaving the endgame unclear.
A live update on the US-Israel confrontation with Iran: Trump claims Iran is “begging” for a peace deal as a limited number of tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran signals mixed reactions to a US 15-point ceasefire proposal relayed via Pakistan. The report also covers claims of an IRGC navy commander killed in an Israeli strike, Netanyahu’s vow to continue attacks, ongoing indirect talks mediated by Pakistan, NATO and European reactions, and health and regional-security warnings from WHO amid the widening crisis.
About 90 ships, including oil tankers, have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, and Iran continues exporting millions of barrels of oil even as the strait remains effectively closed to much traffic; analysts note some passages involve Iran-affiliated or sanctioned-evading vessels, with crude prices rising above $100 a barrel as diplomacy and selective corridors keep flows moving.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they would welcome U.S. naval escort for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a stance aligning with President Trump’s earlier hint that U.S. ships could accompany crossings amid rising Gulf tensions and attacks on vessels in the area.
A Sunday Times investigation finds Russia’s sanctioned oil is shipped through the English Channel by a vast, opaque 'shadow fleet', netting about £239bn since 2022; with many vessels flouting sanctions, Britain is weighing unmanned drone-boat patrols to shadow and seize tanker loads, and debates a broader maritime ban to curb this revenue while warning of spill risks.
The U.S. military says it struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific believed linked to narco-trafficking, killing two people. The strike is framed as part of a broader anti-drug campaign and follows Venezuela-related oil-tanker actions tied to efforts against Maduro.
The article discusses Cuba's worsening economic crisis exacerbated by US seizures of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, raising fears of social unrest, mass migration, and potential regime instability amid ongoing US sanctions and political tensions.
Venezuela accused the US of 'extortion' over the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, calling it an act of pillaging and illegal under international law, while the US justified its actions as part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking and gangs, leading to international criticism and accusations of bullying from Russia and China.
Venezuela's National Assembly approved a law criminalizing activities like oil tanker seizures, following US actions against Venezuelan ships to pressure Maduro amid ongoing sanctions and political tensions, with the bill now awaiting Maduro's signature.
President Trump announced a 'complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela, escalating pressure on Maduro's regime, with actions described as a legal quarantine rather than a military blockade, raising questions about the scope and impact of the move.
China criticized the US for seizing oil tankers off Venezuela, claiming it violates international law and supporting Caracas amid US efforts to blockade Venezuela's oil exports, which are mainly shipped to China.
The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a third Venezuelan oil tanker, Bella 1, as part of a broader effort to pressure Venezuela's regime by seizing ships on sanctions lists, amidst escalating tensions and accusations of supporting terrorist groups, with the U.S. aiming to weaken Maduro's government and curb Iran-Venezuela cooperation.
The US has intensified its efforts to blockade Venezuelan oil by attempting to board and seize sanctioned tankers, including Bella 1 and Centuries, as part of a broader strategy to cut off Venezuela's oil exports amid political tensions and potential military action, significantly impacting Venezuela's economy and international relations.