Iran Tankers Evade US Blockade: 9 Million Barrels Delivered

At least two Iranian oil tankers have slipped past the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, delivering around 9 million barrels of crude to global markets. The Hero II and Hedy crossed into the Arabian Sea on April 20, despite US claims that the blockade is a success. This highlights the ongoing struggle the US faces in restricting Iran's oil exports. Since the blockade began last week, US forces have intercepted an Iran-linked cargo ship and boarded a sanctioned tanker, but tensions remain high. Just this week, Iranian forces attacked a container vessel in the area. Data shows that 34 vessels linked to Iran have crossed through the blockade zone, with 19 of them leaving the Persian Gulf, most carrying cargo. Many ships are now turning off their transponders to evade detection. While most of Iran's oil typically heads to China, two recent shipments reached India before a US waiver expired. The bottom line is that despite the blockade, Iran's oil trade persists, which could impact global oil prices and supply for consumers everywhere.