Iran tanker evades US blockade, reaches Asia Pacific, report says

A Very Large Crude Carrier linked to National Iranian Tanker Company has evaded the United States naval blockade and reached the Asia Pacific carrying more than 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, according to TankerTrackers.com.

In a post on X, the firm identified the vessel as “HUGE” and said it was last seen off Sri Lanka and is now transiting the Lombok Strait towards the Riau Archipelago.

TankerTrackers.com said the vessel had been in Iranian waters on 13 April, when the blockade was announced, and had not transmitted tracking signals since 20 March.

Iranian media have said dozens of vessels have breached the blockade, while US officials say they have forced many ships to turn back and that the measures are limiting Iran’s oil exports.