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Jun 18, 20261
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Saudi Supertankers Resume Strait of Hormuz Crossings Following US-Iran Peace Deal
Saudi Arabia's state tanker company has begun operating very large crude carriers, including the supertanker Shaden, through the Strait of Hormuz following an interim US-Iran peace deal, marking an early sign of normalizing oil shipping operations in the strategically crucial waterway.
Quick Facts
Who
Saudi Arabia
What
Very large crude carriers began crossing the Strait of Hormuz
When
Following interim US-Iran peace deal
Where
Strait of Hormuz
- Very large crude carriers began crossing the Strait of Hormuz
- Saudi supertankers resumed operations through the strait
- Implementation of interim US-Iran peace agreement
- Saudi Arabia
- United States
Saudi Arabia's state-owned tanker company has begun operating very large crude carriers through the Strait of Hormuz following an interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The Shaden, a supertanker in the Saudi fleet, represents the first major commercial vessel movement through the strategically critical waterway since the agreement took effect.
The resumption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz signals growing confidence in the stability of the interim US-Iran accord. The strait, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes, had experienced heightened tensions and uncertainty prior to the diplomatic breakthrough. The movement of Saudi Arabia's supertankers is particularly significant given the kingdom's major role in global oil markets and its previous concerns about maritime security in the region.
The transit of these vessels demonstrates early practical implementation of the peace agreement, with the shipping industry responding to improved conditions for commercial operations. Saudi Arabia's willingness to deploy its largest crude carriers through the waterway suggests confidence that the deal will hold and that maritime safety has been sufficiently restored for major oil export operations to proceed normally.
Why This Matters
The resumption of Saudi supertanker operations through the Strait of Hormuz is a critical indicator of the credibility and practical implementation of the US-Iran peace agreement. For oil markets, investors, and supply chain managers, this movement signals reduced geopolitical risk in a chokepoint that handles roughly one-third of global maritime oil trade. Saudi Arabia's confidence in deploying its largest vessels suggests the accord is holding and maritime security has stabilized—directly affecting global energy prices, shipping insurance costs, and economic stability in oil-dependent regions.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireSaudi supertankers resume transit through Strait of Hormuz; Shaden crossing reported