Iranian supertanker breaks US blockade carrying $220 million worth of oil

US President Donald Trump claimed Washington had “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz and described the ongoing naval blockade as a “huge success”. However, according to TankerTrackers.com, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company has evaded the U.S. Navy and arrived in the Asia-Pacific region, carrying more than 1.9 million barrels of crude oil worth nearly $220 million.The vessel, identified as “huge”, was last sighted near Sri Lanka more than a week ago and is currently en route to the Riau Islands through Indonesia’s Lombok Strait.

TankerTrackers.com said in a post on“Her name is HUGE (9357183) and we last saw her in Sri Lanka a week ago. She is currently traveling through the Lombok Strait in Indonesia to the Riau Islands. To date, HUGE has not transmitted on AIS since leaving the Strait of Malacca for Iran on March 20, 2026. “The report came as Iranian state media claimed that at least 52 Iranian ships had breached a U.S.-imposed blockade within 72 hours. The vessels include 31 oil tankers and 21 cargo ships, Fars News Agency reported.However, Al Jazeera reported that the U.S. military insists it has intercepted or forced the return of about 41 Iran-related ships since the blockade began.Despite reports of irregularities, U.S. officials insist the blockade is working, claiming it has cost Tehran billions of dollars in lost revenue and severely limited its ability to export oil. Washington also believes Iran may soon be forced to store excess oil until capacity is exhausted, potentially halting production.Earlier last month, data from maritime tracking firm Vortexa showed that at least 34 oil tankers linked to Iran had successfully circumvented the U.S. naval blockade. Of those, 19 left the bay and 15 entered it, a sign that ships are continuing to sail despite heightened restrictions.The United States has also rerouted 48 ships in the Persian Gulf over the past 20 days as part of efforts to impose restrictions on Iran’s maritime activities, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.The United States has clarified that its blockade targets Iranian ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz itself. The United States has also warned shipping companies that they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) warned that such payments include not only cash but also “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps or other in-kind payments,” including charitable donations or embassy payments.Iran earlier restricted movement in the strait after the conflict broke out on February 28 and later offered alternative routes near its coastline in exchange for fees.The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global chokepoint, handling about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade. The U.S. blockade, imposed on April 13 and subsequently expanded, is part of a broader effort to pressure Iran economically and strategically, despite ongoing maritime tensions and diplomatic efforts.