Tankers still risk Iran seizures in Strait of Hormuz

Tanker crews remain at risk in the Strait of Hormuz after months of rising tensions between Iran and Western powers. Tim Wilkins, regional director for the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, says dozens of ships remain stranded near the narrow shipping lane, where transit is still hazardous despite the absence of fresh attacks. The strait, a vital route for one-fifth of the world’s oil, has seen a surge in seizures and close calls since 2019, when Iran began retaliating for U.S. sanctions by detaining tankers and seizing cargo.

The danger stems from Iran’s response to Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign after President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran has used the strait as a pressure point, seizing vessels under claims of “environmental violations” or “smuggling.” Last year alone, at least four tankers were detained, and several others were harassed by fast boats. Commercial insurers now charge extra for coverage in the area, and some shipowners reroute vessels around Africa to avoid the risk.

Wilkins says crews stuck near the strait face uncertainty, with some waiting weeks for clearance after minor incidents. One British-flagged tanker, the Stena Impero, was held for 10 weeks in 2019 before being released. Others have faced drone strikes or limpet mine attacks attributed to Iran. The U.S. has sent warships to escort vessels, but the patrols have not stopped the threats. Shipping data shows a 30% drop in tankers transiting the strait in 2023 compared to 2018, a clear sign of the disruption.

No deal is in sight. Talks between Iran and Western powers have stalled, and Iran’s regional proxies continue to target ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Wilkins warns that without a diplomatic breakthrough, the strait will stay a flashpoint, forcing shipowners to weigh profit against peril. For now, crews must navigate a maze of risks, from Iranian patrols to Houthi missile strikes, in one of the world’s most critical waterways.