The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced that it began blocking all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports on the morning of 13/4. This action follows President Donald Trump's previously announced blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The blockade will be applied equally to vessels of all nations entering and exiting the coastal areas of Iran, including all its ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman," the announcement stated.

This move could further tighten global oil supply. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely paralyzed since the Middle East conflict erupted, causing energy prices to surge from late february. Prior to the conflict, this shipping lane transported about 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas, primarily serving the Asian market.

A ship anchored next to an offshore oil rig near Ilam city, Iran, in the Persian Gulf, 9/2025. Photo: Iranintl

However, about 2 million barrels of Iranian oil were still entering the market daily via Hormuz. According to data firm Kpler, Iran exported 1,84 million barrels a day in march and is projected to export 1,71 million barrels in april. These figures are higher than the 2025 annual average of 1,68 million barrels.

Iran's sharp increase in production before the conflict began on 28/2 resulted in its oil loaded onto vessels reaching near-record levels. Over 180 million barrels of Iranian oil were in tankers as of early april, Kpler reported.

Even after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire last week, vessel traffic through Hormuz did not improve significantly. According to data firm LSEG, three supertankers passed through the strait on 11/4. Each vessel can carry up to 2 million barrels of oil. However, this number is still significantly lower than the pre-conflict period, when over 100 ships transited daily.

Following Mr. Trump's announcement of the Hormuz blockade, some oil tankers diverted from the strait. The Agios Fanourios I, a Malta-flagged supertanker that was scheduled to pass through the strait on 12/4 to load Iraqi crude oil for Vietnam, subsequently turned around and is now anchored near the Gulf of Oman. As of 7/4, approximately 187 vessels carrying a total of 172 million barrels of crude oil and refined products were in the Persian Gulf, according to Kpler.

The tightening of Iranian oil supply caused world oil prices to surge during the 13/4 trading session. Brent crude is currently priced at 102 USD per barrel, while WTI reached 104 USD.

This situation could also affect many Asian nations that rely on oil supplies from the Middle East. Before the conflict, most of Iran's oil exports were shipped to China, the world's largest crude oil importer. Last month, the US also announced a sanctions waiver mechanism, allowing countries to temporarily import Iranian oil.

According to vessel tracking data released by LSEG and Kpler on 8/4, India is expected to receive its first crude oil shipment from Iran in seven years this week. Reuters also reported last month that several Asian refineries planned to purchase Iranian oil after the US eased sanctions.

The conflict in the Middle East has reversed oil supply and demand forecasts for this year. Analysts now project that oil demand will exceed supply by an average of about 750.000 barrels a day this year. A similar survey in september last year had indicated a surplus of 1,63 million barrels a day, primarily due to OPEC+ gradually increasing production.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by late march, the conflict had reduced oil supply by about 11 million barrels a day. In its 9/4 report, ANZ bank stated this figure was 9 million barrels. In january, the IEA reported total global oil supply at approximately 106,6 million barrels a day.

Ha Thu (according to Reuters)