Two Iranian Supertankers Exit US Blockade Zone, Tracking Group Says

What happened

Maritime tracking group TankerTrackers reports that two Iranian supertankers, Diona and Hero 2, operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company, have exited a US Navy blockade zone. This movement, confirmed by automatic identification system data and satellite imagery dated 15 June, is said to represent Iran’s first crude oil exports in two months, with the vessels carrying a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude oil.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The reported exit from the blockade perimeter marks a notable development after weeks of disruption to Iran’s maritime oil exports, potentially affecting both regional oil flows and US efforts to enforce sanctions through naval presence. However, the report is based on tracking data and has not been independently verified by on-the-ground sources.

TankerTrackers notes a third NITC tanker, named Stream, is positioned near the blockade line, having spent seven weeks in Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone awaiting entry into Iran. This suggests ongoing complexities and delays in Iran’s oil shipping amid maritime security and geopolitical tensions.

Known from the source

• Two Iranian supertankers, Diona and Hero 2, have exited a US Navy blockade zone according to maritime tracking service TankerTrackers.
• The vessels carry a combined total of approximately 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
• The exit was confirmed by automatic identification system data and satellite imagery dated 15 June 2026.
• A third tanker named Stream is near the blockade line, spending the last seven weeks in Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone.
• The blockade is imposed by the US Navy aiming to restrict Iranian crude oil exports.

What remains unclear

The role of the US Navy is pivotal here, as the blockade zone is enforced by naval vessels aiming to restrict Iranian crude exports. The report does not specify any incidents or confrontations during the tankers’ transit. Responsibility for allowing or preventing the tankers’ passage is not detailed beyond the existence of the naval blockade itself.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of TankerTrackers’ AIS and satellite data on the tankers’ exit. Confirmation from other maritime or intelligence sources about the blockade’s current status. Verification of the legal and operational parameters of the US Navy blockade zone.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Middle East Eye. Open the source.