Iran Resumes Oil Exports from Kharg Island as US Naval Restrictions Ease

Iran has resumed loading crude oil at its Kharg Island export terminal after a pause of about six weeks, following a reported easing of US naval enforcement in the region, according to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

Three very large crude carriers (VLCCs), each capable of carrying about 2 million barrels, are moored at the Sea Island terminal west of Kharg. This development signals Iran's push to export millions of barrels as part of an interim agreement with the United States that has opened supply lines.

Satellite images from the European Union's Sentinel-2 show two vessels already berthed on Saturday, with a third approaching. A Sentinel-1 image from Friday showed empty berths. Over the previous 44 days, only one VLCC had been observed at either of the island's two jetties in 27 satellite images.

Iran has been an early beneficiary of easing tensions with the US following the signing of a temporary accord. International shippers have been reluctant to transit the Strait of Hormuz amid safety concerns, but Iran has moved about 20 million barrels of crude on tankers anchored off Chabahar port near the Pakistan border.

Iran has also positioned empty tankers into the Persian Gulf, including the three now at Kharg: Stream, Impalas, and Lauren II, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Kharg Island handles about 90% of Iran's crude exports.

Some tankers that have been anchored off Kharg for weeks are now moving toward Hormuz. At least 20 tankers of various sizes remain anchored east of Kharg, indicating Iran has substantial crude ready for shipment.

(Based on reporting from Bloomberg and ship tracking data.)