Oil super tanker leaves Persian Gulf amid signs of possible de-escalation

A supertanker carrying Iraqi crude bound for China has left the Persian Gulf and crossed into the Arabian Sea, moving beyond what has been described in market reports as a US-imposed blockade line, as diplomatic efforts continue over reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Eagle Verona transported about 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil and crossed from the Gulf of Oman into the Arabian Sea, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

Oil markets are closely monitoring tanker movements in and out of the Persian Gulf, where most commercial shipping has been disrupted since Iran reportedly restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz following military strikes by the United States and Israel in late February. The closure has significantly slowed maritime traffic in and out of one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

The Eagle Verona loaded its cargo at the Basra Oil Terminal on February 28 and is now en route to the Chinese port of Ningbo, where it is scheduled to arrive on June 12, according to tracking data.

The vessel’s departure comes as diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran continue, with senior US officials saying the two sides are moving closer to an agreement that could reopen the waterway. President Donald Trump has said a peace deal has been “largely negotiated,” though Iranian media outlet Fars described such claims as “far from reality,” without citing sources.

Separately, reports indicate that additional vessels have begun moving through the Strait of Hormuz after receiving clearance from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. The semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency said 33 vessels, including oil tankers and cargo ships, transited the strait over a 24-hour period following authorization.

The Eagle Verona is owned by AET Inc PTE Ltd, a Singapore-based company linked to Malaysia’s MISC Group and the broader PETRONAS group, according to maritime databases. The company has not publicly commented on the voyage.

By Sabina Mammadli