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Iran exports LPG and jet fuel despite U.S. maritime blockade
Despite a U.S. maritime blockade, Iran has successfully exported limited quantities of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and jet fuel since July. Maritime tracking data and security sources indicate that Iran is utilizing ship-to-ship transfers near Oman to conceal these shipments, often blending them with the cargo of other regional producers to evade detection.
According to the organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), at least eight tankers carrying Iranian LPG have departed the Gulf of Oman since mid-July, with total volumes estimated at 4.1 million barrels. Many of these shipments appear to be destined for Malaysia, with potential final destinations in China. Additionally, satellite imagery from SynMax shows an Iranian jet fuel tanker arriving in Myanmar in September.
While these volumes represent only a small fraction of Iran's previous energy exports, they demonstrate a method for bypassing sanctions that have largely halted crude oil exports. Six of the LPG tankers and the jet fuel tanker are currently subject to U.S. sanctions. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) continues to describe the blockade as 'impenetrable,' noting that U.S. forces have intercepted numerous vessels and forced others to change course.
Entities
Iran · Myanmar · Reuters · Synmax · United Against Nuclear Iran · United States · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Iranian crude oil exports were zeroed in September for the first time since monitoring began in 2013. www.energymag.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Iran is hiding energy cargoes by conducting ship-to-ship transfers near Oman, blending them with other regional producers' shipments. www.energymag.gr · www.khabarfoori.com · www.in.gr · melliun.org · www.ot.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Six of the eight LPG tankers and the jet fuel tanker are subject to U.S. sanctions. www.energymag.gr · melliun.org
- [● 4 SOURCES] A tanker carrying Iranian jet fuel arrived in Myanmar in September. www.energymag.gr · www.in.gr · melliun.org · www.ot.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] At least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG have departed the Gulf of Oman since mid-July. www.energymag.gr · www.in.gr · melliun.org · www.ot.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The total volume of exported LPG is estimated at approximately 4.1 million barrels. www.energymag.gr · www.khabarfoori.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United Nations reports that Myanmar military air strikes against civilians have caused thousands of deaths. www.in.gr · melliun.org · www.ot.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) maintains that the maritime blockade remains effective and impenetrable. www.energymag.gr · www.khabarfoori.com