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Many of the tankers that have transited the strait in recent days have been linked with Iran following the lifting of the US naval blockade as part of the deal.<\/p>\n
At least 30 tankers have departed from the Gulf laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals since the deal was agreed, according to Jemima Shelley, a senior research analyst at the United Against Nuclear Iran campaign and monitoring group.<\/p>\n
The US Treasury has also eased decades-old sanctions by issuing a license to allow the sale of Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals and other oil products until 21 August.<\/p>\n
On Monday at least five tankers previously sanctioned by the US for links with Iran moved through the strait, ship tracking data shows, carrying up to four million barrels of oil.<\/p>\n
“That said, there has been an increase in ‘normal’ trade too,” said Martin Kelly of crisis management firm EOS Risk Group.<\/p>\n
Four liquefied natural gas tankers were seen on ship-tracking platforms heading through the strait to Qatar’s Ras Laffan port on Monday and at least three tankers and three cargo vessels sailed out of the Gulf on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
All of these transits were made along the Iranian-approved northern route through Iranian waters, rather than the US-recommended southern route close to the coast of Oman.<\/p>\n
And, according to ship-tracking data, more than 250 tankers and 440 cargo ships are still inside the Gulf, based on their last reported positions. More than 80% of the tankers are stationary or at anchor and about one in six appears to be carrying cargo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n