About 23 tankers have been detected near Kharg Island, the largest such cluster observed at the major Iranian oil-export hub since the US launched a blockade on the country's ports over a month ago, according to a Bloomberg analysis published Monday.
The anchored vessels, gathered around crude and liquefied petroleum gas loading jetties around Kharg, were spotted by satellite images taken on May 16, the report said, adding that the development was also confirmed by the US non-profit policy advisory group United Against Nuclear Iran.
The current tally of tankers compares with the presence of just four tankers observed on April 13, just before the beginning of the US naval blockade, the report said.
"As of May 17, US forces have redirected 81 commercial vessels and disabled 4 to ensure compliance," as part of the blockade, according to a social media post on X by the US Central Command
Disruption in exports has led to filling up of storage, leading to a slow down in activity on the island, the analysis said, adding Iran needs to reduce oil output in the absence of rotation of laden tankers.