Iran has blacklisted 45 tankers accused of violating its rules for crossing the Strait of Hormuz and warned that the vessels could face fines, detention and cargo confiscation, escalating pressure on shipping through the key waterway. The warning was issued late Sunday by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new Iranian body set up to oversee the strait. The authority also said vessels carrying out ship-to-ship transfers with any of the blacklisted tankers could themselves be added to the list.
The restricted vessels include very large crude carriers, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers, as well as clean-product vessels, according to the authority. Among the vessels named are ships owned by UAE-based ADNOC Logistics and Shipping, its subsidiary Navig8 Tankers, and Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company Bahri. Iran did not specify which rules the tankers had allegedly breached. Tehran has previously said shipowners should obtain clearance to transit the Strait of Hormuz and pay for security and other services.
The latest warning comes days after the United States threatened Iran with what it called “the toughest sanctions in history”. Iran has warned that any fresh US threats would draw a “devastating” response. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy route, and the latest Iranian measures add to concerns over disruption to comm