In recent weeks, Iran has continued to export liquefied gas and aviation fuel despite the U.S. maritime blockade. These shipments have increasingly been concealed through ship-to-ship transfers conducted by other Gulf producers off the coast of Oman.
Analysis of Iran's Liquefied Gas Exports
An analysis by a U.S.-based organization indicates that at least eight ships carrying Iranian liquefied gas have left the Gulf of Oman since mid-July. The analysis also refers to ship movements and U.S. Treasury sanctions, under which six of the eight ships are sanctioned for carrying Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
Jemima Shelley, a researcher at the organization, stated that while a few Iranian liquefied gas tankers have successfully navigated the U.S. blockade, most ships have been forced to turn back due to sanctions. Some shipments have been transferred near two ports in Oman, while others have waited in the Gulf of Oman before attempting to pass through the blockade.
Consequences of Sanctions and Crude Oil Exports
According to estimates, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) shipments total 4.1 million barrels. Most of these shipments are intended for potential buyers in China and have been transferred to a port in Malaysia.
An American military official emphasized that the passage of a ship does not necessarily mean bypassing the blockade, and each ship is assessed individually. The U.S. lifted some restrictions on oil exports related to Iran in June after reaching a draft understanding with Tehran, but reestablished the blockade on July 14 after the agreement collapsed.
This blockade is accompanied by sanctions aimed at severing Iran's remaining financial ties and limiting the country's revenues. Last week, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on 17 ships that, according to the U.S., have been involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum products.
Data analysis company Kpler has reported that Iran's crude oil exports fell to zero in September; this is the first month since the company began monitoring Iran's activities in 2013 that no shipments have been exported.
Read more: Iran's daily oil production increases to 3.7 million barrels in October 2023 · Iranian oil tanker shipment heading to China amid sanctions
