Iranian oil tankers resume transit through Strait of Hormuz amid easing tensions

TEHRAN, June 17 (YPA) – At least three tankers carrying Iranian oil crossed a U.S. maritime blockade zone this week, while a fourth empty vessel was heading toward the Gulf of Oman, following a framework agreement between Washington and Tehran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, shipping tracking data said on Wednesday.

The movements suggested a gradual resumption of Iranian crude exports, a development expected to increase global oil supply, despite weaker demand from China, Iran’s largest buyer, amid shrinking domestic refining margins.

Data from Kpler and Vortexa showed that two very large crude carriers, Hero 2 and Diona, each transporting around two million barrels of oil, have passed through the Gulf of Oman en route to eastern destinations.

Separate data from Kpler and the London Stock Exchange Group indicated that another Iran-linked supertanker, Stream, is sailing empty toward the same maritime zone.

Iran’s oil exports fell in May to their lowest level in six years, averaging about 260,000 barrels per day—less than one-fifth of the 2025 average of 1.67 million barrels per day—amid disruptions linked to the regional escalation and restrictions affecting the Strait.

In a related development, a senior U.S. official said the memorandum of understanding reached between the two sides includes provisions allowing Iran to resume immediate sales of oil and fuel, boosting expectations of higher Middle East supply flows.

These expectations contributed to a decline in global oil prices to a three-month low, following a previous spike triggered by the outbreak of conflict on February 28.