Iranian crude oil exports showed signs of a rapid recovery on Friday following the lifting of a months-long US naval blockade on the country’s ports, with shipping activity increasing significantly from key export terminals.
According to shipping data compiled by Bloomberg, seven supertankers capable of carrying approximately 14 million barrels of crude oil departed from Iran’s Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman on Friday, compared to just four vessels recorded over the previous two days.
The increase in tanker movements follows the memorandum of understanding signed this week between Washington and Tehran, under which both sides agreed to end their respective maritime blockades and begin a 60-day negotiation process aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement. The easing of restrictions is expected to help restore oil supplies disrupted during the recent conflict and could add further downward pressure on global crude prices, which have already fallen about 37 percent from the four-year highs reached in April.
Iranian officials indicated that oil production had experienced only a brief decline during the conflict and expected exports to rebound quickly. Market observers had previously noted Iran-linked vessels repositioning in anticipation of the agreement.
While Iranian tanker traffic increased, outbound movements from other Gulf producers appeared subdued. No tankers from neighboring countries were observed leaving the Persian Gulf on Friday morning, compared with vessels carrying nearly 10 million barrels of crude that were either transiting or had recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The fully laden supertanker Tenzan was among the vessels that crossed the strategic waterway overnight.
Shipping data also showed at least four supertankers entering the Gulf over the past 24 hours, signaling continued support for Iranian crude exports as trade routes normalize.
Meanwhile, planned negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at securing a permanent peace agreement have been postponed. The talks, originally scheduled to begin in Switzerland on Friday, were delayed following renewed clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. The impact of the postponement on future shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman remains uncertain.
