Tanker movements shift as Trump threatens to block Iranian ports

OIL tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf has begun to adjust sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for a naval blockade, including a targeted threat against vessels linked to Iranian ports.

Shipping data cited by Reuters from Kpler and LSEG shows early signs of disruption. Two Pakistan-flagged vessels have entered the Persian Gulf and are heading toward the UAE and Kuwait to load crude and refined products. At the same time, a Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) is currently ballasting in the region. Another Malta-flagged VLCC, which had attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to lift crude from Iraq, has reversed course and is now anchored off Oman’s coast.

Despite the rising uncertainty, some movement continues. Reuters reported that three fully loaded tankers successfully navigated the chokepoint on Saturday, the first such crossings since a ceasefire agreement brokered by Pakistan last week. Ownership details of the vessels were not disclosed.

Speaking on Sunday, Trump said the U.S. Navy would “begin the process of BLOCKADING” ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. However, officials later clarified that the enforcement would not be universal. Instead, the operation will specifically target vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, effectively tightening pressure on Tehran’s oil exports.

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According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations that are transiting Iranian ports and coastal areas across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The command added that freedom of navigation would remain intact for ships not linked to Iran.

Oil markets reacted swiftly to the development, with Brent crude rising to $102.7 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing to $104.6 on Monday morning West African tinme amid fears of supply disruptions.

Implications

The targeted blockade of Iranian ports signals a significant escalation in geopolitical risk, with immediate consequences for global oil flows. Although the Strait of Hormuz remains technically open, the selective restriction on Iran-bound vessels could deter shipping companies, increase insurance premiums, and reduce tanker availability in the region.

For oil markets, the move threatens to tighten supply further, especially if Iranian exports are curtailed or if traders adopt a wait-and-see approach. Higher crude prices could persist in the near term, feeding into global inflationary pressures and raising fuel import costs for countries like Nigeria.

There is also a broader strategic implication as the action risks provoking retaliatory measures from Iran, potentially escalating tensions in the Gulf and increasing the likelihood of wider disruptions to energy infrastructure or shipping routes.

For energy-importing economies and emerging markets, prolonged uncertainty could weaken currencies, widen trade deficits, and strain fiscal balances, while oil-exporting countries may benefit from windfall revenues in the short term but face longer-term volatility.