Tehran: Even as maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply slowed after the war began, Iran has continued exporting oil, according to reports.
The conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel has continued for days, with both sides exchanging missile strikes. Amid the escalation, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and warned of attacks on crude oil tankers using the passage.
Following the threat, cargo movement through the strait has nearly come to a halt, pushing up crude prices and triggering shortages of petroleum products in several countries.
However, data cited in the report indicates Iran exported more than 16 million barrels of oil during this period. Between March 1 and March 15, about 90 ships crossed the strait—down from the pre-war daily average of 100 to 135 vessels.
The crossings reportedly included Iran-linked ships using so-called “dark transit,” as well as vessels associated with countries such as China and Greece. A Pakistan-owned crude tanker named “Karachi” and India’s LPG carriers “Shivalik” and “Nanda Devi” were also said to have recently passed through the strait.
