Iran Seized A Tanker Carrying Its Own Oil

• 8.05.2026, 20:37

Tehran is confused about its "shadow fleet."

Iran says it has detained an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. However, the vessel appears to be under U.S. sanctions and is carrying Iran's own oil, Bloomberg reported.

"In a special operation, marines of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army detained the tanker Ocean Koi, which violated the borders," Iran's state television reported, noting that the vessel was "trying to disrupt oil exports and harm the interests of the Iranian people."

Iran's state news agency added that the tanker was carrying Iranian oil but was trying to "take advantage of the situation in the region," without providing details.

Bloomberg notes that in February, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the "namesake" of the detained tanker for belonging to Iran's "shadow fleet," saying it was carrying millions of barrels of Iranian fuel.

According to the Equasis International Shipping Database, the vessel's operator is Ocean Kudos Shipping Co. in Shanghai, but the database does not provide a phone number or email address to contact the company.

The publication recalls that Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off shipments of huge amounts of oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other goods. However, ships carrying Iran's own oil passed through the strait unimpeded until the US imposed a naval blockade in mid-April to prevent oil from Tehran from reaching world markets.