Several Iranian oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite recent restrictions, allowing Tehran to resume crude oil exports for the first time in months. The development comes just days before the United States and Iran are set to begin final negotiations aimed at ending months of conflict and addressing key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions.
According to Al Jazeera, citing shipping-monitoring website TankerTrackers.com, multiple tankers navigated through the strategic waterway ahead of the formal signing of a US-Iran understanding. The breakthrough occurred two days before Washington and Tehran are expected to resume negotiations following an initial agreement to halt hostilities.
TankerTrackers reported that the National Iranian Tanker Company’s vessels Diona and Hero 2 successfully crossed the strait carrying a combined 3.8 million barrels of crude oil. Another tanker, Stream, was reportedly heading toward an Iranian port on Wednesday.
The company also said that a third tanker, Sonia 1, transported approximately one million barrels of oil through the route, according to information shared on social media platform X.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has already had an impact on global energy markets, with oil prices declining amid expectations of increased supply and reduced geopolitical risks.
Final peace talks aimed at ending the conflict that began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 are scheduled to begin in Switzerland on Friday. Officials say formal negotiations between Washington and Tehran will commence immediately after the agreement is signed and are expected to continue for 60 days.
The discussions will focus on Iran’s nuclear activities and the possible lifting of international sanctions. According to sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal, the United States is prepared to allow Iran to resume oil and energy sales immediately after the agreement is finalized, with sanctions relief expected to take effect without delay.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that US President Donald Trump, Vice President J. D. Vance, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, and Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have already signed the preliminary understanding electronically. The formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday.
