Iran Exports About 4.1 Million Barrels via at Least 8 LPG Carriers

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ship-tracking and satellite monitoring data released on October 16 show that since mid-July 2026, at least 8 carriers loaded with Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have departed the Gulf of Oman, with total cargo estimated at about 4.1 million barrels. Monitoring data from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) show that some vessels transferred cargo via ship-to-ship transfers off the coast of Oman. Satellite analysis by maritime intelligence firm SynMax also showed that another tanker carrying Iranian aviation fuel arrived in Myanmar in September.

Jemima Shelley, senior research analyst at UANI, said some LPG carriers conducted cargo transfers in waters near Shinas and Sohar, while other vessels waited in the Gulf of Oman before continuing their voyages. Most of the tracked cargo headed to the Eastern Outer Port Limits area of Malaysia for further ship-to-ship transfers. UANI judged from voyage records that the final destination of some cargo may be China.

Among the vessels involved, 6 of the 8 LPG carriers are subject to U.S. sanctions, and the tanker carrying aviation fuel is also on the sanctions list. U.S. targeted sanctions on Myanmar's aviation fuel sector began in 2023. The U.S. Department of the Treasury disputed some ship-tracking results, noting that vessels may conduct loading activities by falsifying location information or using false identities.

The blockade arrangements published by U.S. Central Command show that the United States restricted Iran-related maritime oil transport starting April 13, lifted the blockade briefly in June, and reimposed it on July 14. As of October 13, during the latest round of blockade, U.S. forces had disabled 4 commercial vessels and forced 135 vessels to change course. The U.S. side also said that a vessel passing through the blockade area does not necessarily constitute a violation, and the relevant vessels must undergo review of documentation and the nature of their transport.

Statistics from energy shipping data agency Kpler show that Iran's crude oil exports fell to zero in September, the first full month with no crude oil exports since it began tracking the country's exports in 2013. The U.S. Department of the Treasury continued to expand sanctions on Iran's energy transport during the same period, adding 17 sanctioned vessels involved in crude oil, petrochemical products and refined product transport in early October.