Oil tankers, including two Pakistan-flagged vessels, turn back from Hormuz after US–Iran talks collapse: report

Two empty crude oil tankers attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday but reversed course at the last moment as tensions escalated following the breakdown of peace talks between the United States and Iran, according to Bloomberg.

Ship-tracking data showed that two very large crude carriers and one Aframax-class vessel approached the waterway from the Gulf of Oman late Saturday and reached the area near Iran’s Larak island early Sunday, which functions as a key checkpoint.

At that point, vessels including Iraq-bound Agios Fanourios I and Pakistan-flagged Shalamar, which was heading towards the United Arab Emirates’ Das Island, altered course and moved away from the strait.

Iranian media also reported that tankers, including Khairpur and Shalamar, changed direction while moving eastward toward the strait and instead headed west, retreating from the route.

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz remains under the control of Iranian armed forces, and ships are required to obtain prior approval before transit.

The developments come amid renewed uncertainty over maritime access to the strategic waterway following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations, raising concerns over energy supply routes and regional shipping activity.