DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Three crude oil tankers carrying millions of barrels of oil have crossed the Strait of Hormuz with their tracking systems switched off, underscoring mounting security fears and worsening disruptions to global energy markets amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
Shipping data showed that two very large crude carriers — Agios Fanourios I and Kiara M — each transported approximately two million barrels of Iraqi crude through the strategic waterway while operating without active transponders, a tactic increasingly being used to reduce the risk of attack.
According to the report, Agios Fanourios I is headed to Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery after failing in at least two previous attempts to safely cross the strait. The destination of Kiara M remains unclear.
Another tanker, Basrah Energy, also reportedly exited the Gulf earlier this week with its tracking systems disabled before unloading crude cargo in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The developments come as tensions continue escalating between Iran, the United States, and Israel following the collapse of fresh diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the regional conflict.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to a proposed peace framework, calling Tehran’s proposal “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” in a post on Truth Social.
The diplomatic impasse immediately rattled global markets, with oil prices surging by more than $4 per barrel on fears that instability around Hormuz could further constrain global energy supplies.
Before the conflict escalated in February, the Strait of Hormuz handled nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making it one of the most critical maritime chokepoints globally.
Maritime traffic through the waterway has dropped sharply in recent weeks following Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting commercial vessels and naval confrontations involving U.S. forces.
Hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarers have reportedly been stranded in the Gulf since the conflict intensified.
Energy analysts warn that prolonged instability around Hormuz could continue driving volatility in global oil prices and disrupt supply chains across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
