Iran manages to ship some gas, jet fuel despite US blockade, sanctions, data shows

Iran has exported some liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and jet fuel since July despite a US naval blockade, shipping intelligence and security sources said. Analysis by United Against Nuclear Iran shows at least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG left the Gulf of Oman since mid-July. A tanker carrying Iranian jet fuel reached Myanmar in September. The US military said its blockade is 'ironclad,' having turned around 135 ships.

Iran has managed to export some liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and jet fuel since July, despite a US naval blockade, according to shipping intelligence and people involved in security. Analysis by US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) shows at least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG have left the Gulf of Oman since mid-July. Another tanker carrying Iranian jet fuel reached Myanmar in September, additional satellite imagery and analysis by maritime intelligence group SynMax show. The total amount of these LPG cargoes was estimated at 4.1 million barrels, according to UANI's Jemima Shelley, who said the shipments were driven more by opportunism than a new trend. The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) described its naval blockade, reimposed on July 14, as 'ironclad,' stating that during the three months of the latest blockade, four commercial vessels had been disabled and 135 ships had been turned around. A US Treasury spokesperson questioned the shipping data, saying ships could spoof their locations. Iranian crude exports fell to zero in September, according to Kpler.