Saudi Oil Tankers Resume Transit Through Strait of Hormuz Following US-Iran Agreement

Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude oil transited the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, marking the largest oil shipment through the strategic waterway in weeks following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding to end their conflict. Ship tracking data confirmed the passage hours after the agreement was announced, with vessels publicly displaying their navigation routes for the first time in recent weeks. An LNG carrier, the French-flagged Mureih, also successfully transited the strait on the same day, representing the first liquefied natural gas vessel to pass through the passage since the outbreak of Iran-related hostilities on February 28.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies, had been effectively blockaded for over three months, preventing hundreds of millions of barrels of crude from departing Persian Gulf producer ports. During this period, Saudi Arabia diverted its exports through the Red Sea terminal at Yanbu as an alternative route. The resumption of direct transit signals a significant shift in regional maritime operations and global energy flows.

Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding released on June 17, the United States committed to immediately lifting its maritime blockade on Iran, while Iran agreed to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels transiting between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman within a 60-day timeframe. However, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy indicated that vessel coordination remains necessary for passage through the strait. International Energy Agency director Fatih Birol stated that the Strait of Hormuz "must be unconditionally reopened," with negotiations expected to be completed within the 60-day window.

The return of visible shipping routes on public tracking platforms suggests renewed confidence in the corridor's security. Shipping analysts noted that vessels had previously obscured their navigation data due to regional tensions, making the public display of routes a notable indicator of de-escalation. The successful passage of both crude oil and LNG cargo reflects initial confidence in the implementation of the newly signed agreement.