Iran Ramps Up Oil Tanker Loadings at Record Pace
Iran's crude oil exports from Kharg Island surge to 3M barrels per day, tripling January levels. Analysts see the move as strategic preparation for potential U.S. strikes.
Iran has sharply increased the pace of loading crude oil onto tankers in recent days, according to tanker-tracking data cited by Bloomberg.
Exports from the country’s main terminal on Kharg Island between February 15 and 20 reached nearly 20.1 million barrels, data from independent analytics firm Kpler show. That volume is almost three times the amount loaded during the same period in January and equates to more than 3 million barrels per day, far above Iran’s normal daily export rate.
Bloomberg reported that the surge “is a potential sign of the Persian Gulf state’s preparations in case of an attack by the US.”
The accelerated loadings come as the United States continues to amass military forces in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran over its nuclear program.
Why the Sudden Rush?
Industry analysts and military observers point to three primary drivers for the "fire sale" pace: