Iranian tankers bypassing US sanctions, Tanker Trackers says

Maritime analytics group Tanker Trackers reports that vessels linked to Iran and subject to US sanctions continue operating on key shipping routes despite restrictions.

Cargo-empty, US-sanctioned tankers are still arriving.

Today, the VINA/VALLEY (9157478), which routinely delivers Iranian LPG to the Houthis in Yemen, managed to enter the blockade perimeter; and she's pinging on AIS. A larger Iranian oil tanker arrived as well. It's empty… pic.twitter.com/Ah7QpbdlW5

— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) May 6, 2026

In a post on the social media platform X on 7 May, the group stated that the tanker VINA/VALLEY (IMO 9157478) — which it says is regularly involved in transporting Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Yemen — entered a so-called “blockade perimeter” while transmitting AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals.

Tanker Trackers also reported that another larger Iranian oil tanker, also carrying no cargo, has arrived in the same operational area. According to the analysts, such vessel movements “buy Tehran more time.”

By Vugar Khalilov