Eight Iranian LPG tankers have defied U.S. sanctions, transporting 4.1 million barrels since mid-July amid ongoing maritime blockade efforts.
Despite the maritime blockade imposed by the U.S. to prevent Iran's energy exports, it has been revealed that at least eight tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) originating from Iran have departed from the Gulf of Oman since mid-July. Satellite images and vessel tracking data show that another tanker carrying jet fuel from Iran reached Myanmar in September.
Research based on maritime shipping intelligence has indicated that despite a significant halt in Iran's crude oil exports, the country has managed to deliver some petroleum products to international markets.
A total of 4.1 million barrels of LPG were transported by the eight tankers.
According to data from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors ship movements through satellite and tracking systems, at least eight LPG tankers with Iranian-origin cargoes have left the Gulf of Oman since mid-July.
The total amount of LPG carried by these tankers has been estimated to be approximately 4.1 million barrels.
It has been determined that six of the eight LPG tankers are on the U.S. sanctions list. The tanker carrying jet fuel to Myanmar is also among the vessels subject to U.S. sanctions.
These shipments represent a limited quantity compared to Iran's past energy exports.
Ship-to-ship transfers were conducted off the coast of Oman.
The investigation found that some Iranian-origin cargoes were transported through ship-to-ship transfer operations conducted off the Omani coast.
In particular, it was determined that some LPG tankers transferred their cargoes to other vessels near the shores of Shinas and Sohar in Oman.
It has been reported that Iranian-linked shipments are among the intense transfer operations carried out by other oil and gas producers in the region.
Some tankers were noted to have continued their voyages after waiting in the Gulf of Oman.
The tankers headed towards the waters off Malaysia.
According to vessel tracking data, the majority of the LPG cargoes were directed towards the outer port limits area east of Malaysia.
Following additional ship-to-ship transfer operations conducted there, it is assessed that the final destination of the cargoes is likely China.
However, the final recipients of all shipments could not be definitively identified.
The tanker carrying jet fuel reached Myanmar.
Satellite images and ship movements examined by the maritime intelligence company SynMax revealed that a tanker carrying Iranian-origin jet fuel reached Myanmar in September.
The U.S. had begun imposing sanctions on Myanmar's jet fuel sector in 2023.
The Myanmar government did not respond to inquiries regarding whether it received the jet fuel shipment.
The U.S.: 135 vessels turned away.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the maritime blockade against Iran is in effect and being enforced effectively.
The maritime blockade, first initiated by the U.S. on April 13, 2026, was lifted following a preliminary agreement reached in June, but was reimposed on July 14 after negotiations failed.
According to CENTCOM's statement on October 13, in the last three months, 135 vessels were turned away by U.S. forces, and four commercial vessels were left inactive.
A U.S. military official stated that the passage of any vessel through the blockade area does not necessarily mean that it has illegally breached the blockade.
The official noted that the documents of the vessels and the cargoes they carry are evaluated separately, and some vessels may be granted passage for humanitarian reasons.
The U.S. contested vessel tracking data.
The U.S. Treasury Department argued that caution should be exercised regarding vessel tracking data indicating that some tankers have breached the blockade.
Department officials pointed out that vessels can change their location information or use different identities, stating that tracking systems alone may not constitute conclusive evidence.
The Iranian government did not respond to inquiries regarding the shipments.
Iran's crude oil exports fell to zero in September.
According to data from energy and commodity data company Kpler, Iran's crude oil exports dropped to zero in September.
This marked the first month since the company began tracking Iran's oil shipments in 2013 that no exports were recorded.
The U.S. administration continues to enforce sanctions on Iran's oil and petrochemical trade, in addition to the maritime blockade. In the latest sanctions package, 17 vessels identified as playing a role in the transportation of Iranian-origin energy products were added to the sanctions list.
Experts note that Iran's ability to export a limited amount of LPG and jet fuel does not negate the overall impact of the maritime blockade.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
