Key facts
- Iranian oil tankers have passed through a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The blockade began on April 13 and targeted all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports.
- At least two National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) supertankers exited the blockade carrying a total of 3.8 million barrels of crude oil.
- A peace deal between Iran and the US was announced by mediator Pakistan on Sunday.
- The peace deal signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.
- US President Donald Trump authorized the immediate removal of the US naval blockade.
Iranian oil tankers have successfully passed through a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in two months, according to maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers. This development coincides with preparations for a peace deal signing ceremony between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.
At least two supertankers operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), named Diona and Hero2, were reported to have exited the blockade line carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil. Another NITC vessel, the Stream, was observed approaching the blockade from Pakistan's exclusive economic zone, where it had reportedly been waiting for seven weeks.
The US naval blockade was initiated on April 13 amid escalating tensions between the two nations, targeting all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas. The announcement of the blockade followed an increase in tensions between the US and Iran.
The breakthrough in maritime operations comes after Pakistan announced on Sunday that a peace deal had been reached between Iran and the US, declaring an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts. US President Donald Trump later confirmed the agreement, stating on Truth Social that the deal was complete and he had authorized the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of the US naval blockade.
Details of the peace agreement's terms remain scarce, though President Trump has previously indicated that any deal would be contingent on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and assurances that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Trump to publicly release the full agreement and brief Congress.