Iran ships some LPG and jet fuel despite US blockade, data shows
USO•Iran has exported at least eight LPG cargoes since mid-July and one jet-fuel cargo that reached Myanmar in September, despite a US naval blockade. Iranian crude exports fell to zero in September, according to Kpler.
1. Some cargoes get through
Shipping intelligence and people tracking Gulf oil movements say Iran has exported some liquefied petroleum gas and jet fuel since July, despite a US naval blockade. UANI analysis identified at least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG that left the Gulf of Oman since mid-July; satellite imagery and SynMax analysis showed an Iranian jet-fuel tanker reached Myanmar in September.
2. Routes and cargo estimates
UANI estimated the LPG cargoes totaled 4.1 million barrels. It said some tankers transferred cargo near Oman, while most sailed to Malaysia’s Eastern Outer Port Limits for further ship-to-ship transfers, with China a likely destination. Six of the eight LPG tankers and the jet-fuel tanker are under US sanctions for transporting Iranian petroleum products.
3. Blockade and exports
The US military said its blockade was “ironclad” and that vessels are assessed individually; it said some may be allowed through for humanitarian reasons. Centcom reported that in the three months of the latest blockade, four commercial vessels had been disabled and 135 turned around. Kpler said Iranian crude exports fell to zero in September, the first month without a shipment since its tracking began in 2013.
