2 tankers make U-turn near Strait of Hormuz as Iran–US talks collapse
Two empty crude tankers attempted to enter the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday but turned back after reaching the approach area near Iran’s Larak Island, according to ship-tracking data. The movements coincided with reports that negotiators in Islamabad had failed to reach an agreement in ongoing talks.
Two very large crude carriers and one Aframax-class vessel, all without direct links to Iran, moved towards the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman late on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data. The vessels reached waters near Iran’s Larak Island early on Sunday before altering course, as cited by Bloomberg.
The Iraq-bound Agios Fanourios I and Pakistan-flagged Shalamar, which was headed for Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, were among those that turned back at the approach point.
According to shipping data , Agios Fanourios I is managed by Greece-based Eastern Mediterranean Maritime , while Shalamar is owned by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.
The very large crude carrier Mombasa B continued its passage through the Strait of Hormuz and moved between Larak and Qeshm islands via an Iran-approved route into the Persian Gulf, according to shipping data. The vessel has not indicated a confirmed destination.
Separately, the Pakistani oil product tanker Khairpur continued its movement through Iranian-controlled waters toward the Gulf after altering course twice on Sunday. The ship initially made a U-turn near Larak and Qeshm islands before reversing course again and resuming its inbound transit, as cited by Bloomberg.
The reasons for the about-turns remain unclear, although both Iraq and Pakistan had earlier received approval from Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, multiple vessels have attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz but later aborted their passages, reflecting shifting security conditions and elevated risks in the area.
Most of the affected ships were seeking to exit the Persian Gulf, though empty tankers also move inward to load cargo.
Two Chinese container vessels turned back late last month before later completing their exit, while a liquefied natural gas carrier also reversed course last week before abandoning its initial transit attempt.
Successful passage by all three crude tankers on Sunday would have added to a recent increase in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been under close monitoring since late February amid higher movement by Iran-linked vessels.
On Saturday, two Chinese supertankers and a Greek-flagged vessel exited the Persian Gulf through the strait carrying crude cargoes.
The development comes after negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed without agreement in Islamabad, Pakistan.
According to US vice president JD Vance, the main point of contention was Iran’s nuclear programme. Describing it as a “red line” for the Trump administration, he said Iran was told to end its programme and halt uranium enrichment.
Iran, meanwhile, said the US demands were “unreasonable” and blamed Washington for the collapse of the talks.
Two very large crude carriers and one Aframax-class vessel, all without direct links to Iran, moved towards the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman late on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data. The vessels reached waters near Iran’s Larak Island early on Sunday before altering course, as cited by Bloomberg.
The Iraq-bound Agios Fanourios I and Pakistan-flagged Shalamar, which was headed for Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, were among those that turned back at the approach point.
According to shipping data , Agios Fanourios I is managed by Greece-based Eastern Mediterranean Maritime , while Shalamar is owned by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.
The very large crude carrier Mombasa B continued its passage through the Strait of Hormuz and moved between Larak and Qeshm islands via an Iran-approved route into the Persian Gulf, according to shipping data. The vessel has not indicated a confirmed destination.
Separately, the Pakistani oil product tanker Khairpur continued its movement through Iranian-controlled waters toward the Gulf after altering course twice on Sunday. The ship initially made a U-turn near Larak and Qeshm islands before reversing course again and resuming its inbound transit, as cited by Bloomberg.
The reasons for the about-turns remain unclear, although both Iraq and Pakistan had earlier received approval from Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, multiple vessels have attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz but later aborted their passages, reflecting shifting security conditions and elevated risks in the area.
Most of the affected ships were seeking to exit the Persian Gulf, though empty tankers also move inward to load cargo.
Two Chinese container vessels turned back late last month before later completing their exit, while a liquefied natural gas carrier also reversed course last week before abandoning its initial transit attempt.
Successful passage by all three crude tankers on Sunday would have added to a recent increase in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been under close monitoring since late February amid higher movement by Iran-linked vessels.
On Saturday, two Chinese supertankers and a Greek-flagged vessel exited the Persian Gulf through the strait carrying crude cargoes.
The development comes after negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed without agreement in Islamabad, Pakistan.
According to US vice president JD Vance, the main point of contention was Iran’s nuclear programme. Describing it as a “red line” for the Trump administration, he said Iran was told to end its programme and halt uranium enrichment.
Iran, meanwhile, said the US demands were “unreasonable” and blamed Washington for the collapse of the talks.
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