Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers Over Strait of Hormuz Violations

Iran has blacklisted 45 oil tankers for alleged transit violations in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over the critical waterway six months into a regional conflict with the United States and Israel. The announcement, made by Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, warns that the named vessels face fines, detention, and cargo confiscation, and that any ships conducting transfers with them could also be added to the list.

The blacklist includes major operators from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and South Korea. Among those named are Saudi Arabia's national tanker carrier Bahri, the UAE's ADNOC Logistics and Services and its subsidiary Navig8 Tankers, Norwegian operator Klaveness Ship Management, chemical tanker specialist Stolt Tankers, and South Korea's Sinokor. The affected vessel types span very large crude carriers, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers, and clean product tankers.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority did not specify the exact nature of the violations, but Tehran has previously demanded that shipowners obtain clearance to transit the strait and pay for security services. The secondary blacklisting...