Amid the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, large Iranian oil tankers have reportedly remained in a standby position off the coast of the Chabahar port.
Based on satellite imagery and analysis from the maritime intelligence company Windward, 6–8 supertankers are observed stationary outside the Persian Gulf, near Chabahar and along the boundary of the U.S. blockade zone, reportedly in an unloaded condition.
According to data from Vortexa Ltd., approximately 155 million barrels of Iranian crude oil are currently either in transit or stored in tankers, waiting to enter the global market.
Experts suggest that full storage facilities onshore and tankers at ports may force Iran to temporarily reduce oil production or shut down wells.
Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly reactivating older 20–30-year-old tankers in an effort to expand export capacity. According to vessel tracking data, a 30-year-old supertanker named “Nasha,” which had not carried cargo for three years, recently resumed transmitting signals and is currently heading toward Kharg Island. The vessel has a capacity of 2 million barrels.
It is noted that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would affect approximately 20% of global oil supply flows.
