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Iranian Oil Tankers Reposition Ahead of Potential Oil Export Resumption, Bloomberg Analysis Says

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Iran-linked oil tankers have begun repositioning as Tehran moves closer to an agreement that could quickly reopen access to international oil markets, according to a Bloomberg analysis on Tuesday.

Attention in the oil market has shifted to the potential return of Iranian barrels as traders assess the impact of any easing in US restrictions. About 68 million barrels of Iranian crude remain stranded under the blockade, according to a Kpler estimate cited by the analysis.

Under a draft agreement nearing completion, Tehran could reportedly receive sanctions waivers that would allow oil exports to resume without delay once the deal is signed.

Recent vessel-tracking data indicated that four ships resumed transmitting location signals and appeared to move through the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Two of the vessels are supertankers with a capacity to transport about 2 million barrels of crude each, according to the analysis.

Several tankers that had been anchored near Chabahar also left the area in recent days. The destination of at least three of those vessels could not be immediately determined, the analysis added, citing TankerTrackers.com.

Monitoring Iran's tanker fleet remains challenging because vessels often disable tracking systems and are frequently affected by signal interference. Ongoing regional tensions have added another layer of complexity to vessel-tracking efforts, the analysis added.

Iranian media reported that efforts to remove the US naval blockade, which has been in place since mid-April, have entered the implementation stage. The Iranian Students' News Agency cited the Deputy Foreign Minister as saying the process is already underway.

Shipping restrictions forced a number of Iranian tankers to remain near Chabahar after access to key export routes became limited. Reports said US naval forces also confronted some vessels attempting to move through the blockade in recent weeks.

After reactivating their tracking signals, two fuel carriers crossed the Strait of Hormuz, with one continuing through the Gulf of Oman and another indicating a destination near Oman.

The analysis said Washington and Tehran are expected to sign an agreement on Friday that would end both Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iranian shipping.

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