Oil tankers avoid Strait of Hormuz ahead of potential US blockade

Oil tankers are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz ahead of US planned assertion of control over maritime traffic

Oil tankers are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz ahead of Washington’s planned assertion of control over maritime traffic later on Monday, following the collapse of peace talks between the United States and Iran, shipping data showed.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions after negotiations with Iran failed to reach an agreement to end the war, threatening a fragile ceasefire.

The US Central Command said forces would begin enforcing the blockade on maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday.

Reuters-reported data showed that the very large crude carrier Agios Fanourios I, sailing under the Maltese flag, had turned back and is currently anchored near the Gulf of Oman after attempting to transit the strait on Sunday to load Iraqi Basra crude bound for Vietnam.