Three Iran-linked oil tankers seized by the United States are now crossing the Atlantic while carrying nearly six million barrels of Iranian crude, according to maritime tracking data and tanker-monitoring specialists.
The oil cargo is estimated to be worth close to $600 million, adding another significant development to the ongoing US campaign targeting Iranian oil exports and vessels operating under sanctions.
TankerTrackers reported that the three tankers were moving across the Atlantic toward the United States. The vessels did not have destinations displayed on their transponders, making their final ports less certain from publicly available tracking information.
Three Tankers Carry Iranian Crude
The vessels involved are the Majestic X, Tifani and Lenore.
Data from maritime intelligence company Kpler showed that the Majestic X and Tifani were located off the northern coast of Brazil on Thursday. Both vessels were seized by US authorities in April after loading Iranian crude, according to the tracking data cited by AFP.
The Majestic X had previously shown the United States as its destination for a short period between July 31 and August 2. The vessel was heading toward the Atlantic after traveling from waters near Malaysia.
The Tifani was also seized after carrying Iranian oil. At the time of the seizures, the ships’ transponders had listed destinations in China and Singapore, according to Kpler data.
The third vessel, the Lenore, followed a different route. Its GPS track showed the supertanker entering the Atlantic through the Cape Horn route off southern Africa on Tuesday.
The Lenore had been seized by US authorities in early June while operating in the Indian Ocean. Its destination was not specified at the time of the seizure.
Oil Cargo Estimated at $600 Million
TankerTrackers estimated that the combined cargo aboard the three vessels amounts to nearly six million barrels of Iranian crude, with a total value approaching $600 million.
The movement is being closely watched because Iranian oil exports have become a central point of tension between Tehran and Washington.
The three tankers are subject to US sanctions under programs designed to restrict Iran’s ability to export oil and generate revenue from its energy sector.
The latest tracking information indicates that the vessels are now in the Atlantic, although their public transponder data does not clearly identify a final destination.
US Says Seizures Target Sanctioned Networks
The United States has previously described its tanker seizures as part of efforts to disrupt networks accused of helping sanctioned Iranian entities move oil internationally.
In statements issued after the April seizures, the US Department of War said the operations were intended to disrupt illicit networks and intercept sanctioned vessels that allegedly provided material support to Iran.
The seizures have taken place against the backdrop of a broader confrontation involving Iran, the United States and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is a critical route for global energy shipments, with large volumes of crude oil and other petroleum products normally passing through it.
Strait of Hormuz Adds to Shipping Tensions
The latest tanker movements come as shipping activity around the Strait of Hormuz remains under close international scrutiny.
Recent reporting has shown a sharp reduction in vessel traffic through the waterway amid continuing tensions in the region. Reuters reported earlier this week that only 17 commodity vessels crossed the strait over one weekend, compared with 37 the previous week and a pre-conflict average of roughly 125 vessels per day.
The disruption has also affected global oil transportation. Tanker shortages and longer shipping routes have pushed up freight costs, while energy markets remain sensitive to developments involving Iranian oil exports and the Strait of Hormuz.
Majestic X, Tifani and Lenore Remain Under Watch
The current Atlantic journey of the three tankers provides maritime analysts with another indication of how US sanctions enforcement is affecting Iranian crude shipments.
For now, the exact final destination of all three vessels remains unclear from their transponder information. Tracking data, however, indicates that the tankers are moving westward across the Atlantic, while TankerTrackers has reported that the cargo is heading toward the United States.
The movement of the vessels and their cargoes is likely to remain under scrutiny as Washington continues enforcing restrictions on Iranian oil exports and monitoring shipping networks connected to Tehran.
