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How it works
Supported

Published fact-check

Dozens of Iran-Linked Tankers Bypass U.S. Naval Blockade

Claim checked

“At least 34 tankers linked to Iran have bypassed the US blockade since it began, the Financial Times reported, citing cargo tracking group Vortexa. The report said 19 of the vessels exited the Persian Gulf through the blockade, while 15 entered from the Arabian Sea heading toward Iran. Six of the outbound tankers were carrying Iranian crude, with total cargoes of about 10.7 million barrels, it said. Based on an assumed $10 discount to Brent crude, the shipments were estimated to represent roughly $910 million in revenue. Iranian oil is typically sold at a discount because it is under sanctions. https://iranintl.com/en/202604220111”

Published

Verdict

Supported

Reports from the Financial Times and Bloomberg, citing data from cargo tracking firm Vortexa, confirm that at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have successfully bypassed a U.S.-led naval blockade since its imposition in April 2026. These vessels include both outbound tankers carrying crude oil and inbound vessels heading toward Iran. The shipments are estimated to have generated nearly $910 million in revenue for the Iranian regime, despite U.S. efforts to halt exports.

5 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

The claim is directly supported by multiple news reports (Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Oninvest) that cite specific data from the tracking group Vortexa. The evidence consistently details the breakdown of the 34 vessels (19 exiting, 15 entering) and the specific volume of oil (10.7 million barrels) carried by six of the outbound tankers. The financial estimate of $910 million is also corroborated as a calculation based on a $10 discount to Brent crude prices. While U.S. officials have claimed the blockade is a 'success,' the physical movement of these tankers, often with transponders turned off, demonstrates significant gaps in enforcement.

Source quality: The report is supported by detailed data from a reputable tracking firm (Vortexa) and corroborated by multiple international news outlets including Bloomberg and the Financial Times.

Key checks

  • Number of tankers bypassing the blockade: Vortexa data confirms at least 34 Iran-linked vessels bypassed the blockade line, which stretches from the Omani coastline to the Iran-Pakistan border. This includes 19 vessels exiting the Persian Gulf and 15 entering.

  • Volume and value of oil shipments: Six outbound tankers were confirmed to be carrying 10.7 million barrels of crude. At a sanctioned discount of $10 per barrel, this represents approximately $910 million in revenue.

  • Tactics used to bypass enforcement: Vessels such as the supertankers Dorena, Hero II, and Hedy were detected using satellite imagery after turning off their transponders ('going dark') to avoid detection by the U.S. Navy.

Confidence

High