Iran announced Monday that it has placed 45 oil, gas, and petroleum product tankers on a blacklist, claiming the vessels violated regulations while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump's weekend declaration of economic "D-Day" against Tehran.
According to a statement from the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority", a newly established Iranian body tasked with managing maritime passage through the waterway, the blacklisted vessels face potential fines, detention, and cargo confiscation. The authority also warned that enforcement action would be taken against any ship that transfers cargo to or from the listed tankers.
The escalation in this critical shipping lane follows Washington's threat of unprecedented sanctions and Iran's vow to respond destructively to any new American pressure. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.
Against this backdrop, the United States has implemented a naval blockade on Iran-linked vessels and is providing escorts for tankers transiting the strait. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright addressed the oil flow situation, stating: "The 7-day average of oil exiting the strait is over 8 million barrels per day. Make no mistake, thanks to the U.S. Navy, oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz."
The Iranian blacklist includes tankers owned by major shipping companies from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea. Tehran officials clarified that vessel owners must obtain advance transit approval and pay for security services. Any ship seeking removal from the blacklist must submit a formal application to Iranian maritime authorities.
This evening, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new economic measures against Iran, including sanctions targeting banks and international entities that maintain commercial ties with the Islamic Republic.
