Hormuz Crisis: Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers, Threatens Fines and Cargo Confiscation

Six months into the Hormuz crisis, Iran escalated threats surrounding the strategic waterway by announcing the blacklisting of 45 vessels for alleged violations of transit regulations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian authorities warned that enforcement action would also target any third-party vessels conducting ship-to-ship cargo transfers with the designated ships.

In a social media statement late Sunday, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority—a newly established Iranian administrative body governing the passage—indicated that blacklisted vessels face potential fines, impoundment, and cargo seizure.

The targeted fleet includes ships owned by major regional operators, including the United Arab Emirates’ ADNOC Logistics & Services, its subsidiary Navig8 Tankers, and Saudi Arabia’s national shipping carrier, Bahri.

According to the Iranian post on X, any vessels engaging in ship-to-ship transfers with the designated ships risk being blacklisted.

While the post did not elaborate on Iran’s specific regulatory framework, Tehran has previously asserted that vessel owners must secure official authorization prior to navigating the strait, alongside paying fees for security and administrative services.

Concurrently, the United States has maintained a naval blockade targeting shipping linked to Iran.

Prior to the conflict disrupting tanker movement, the Gulf accounted for roughly 20% of the global daily supply of crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

Portions of those export volumes are currently being restored through U.S.-coordinated efforts to discreetly escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to supply supertankers anchored just outside the waterway.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on X on Friday that the “7-day average of oil leaving the Strait is over 8 million barrels a day. Make no mistake, thanks to the U.S. ​Navy, oil is flowing ​through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The blacklist also included ships owned by Stolt Tankers, South Korea’s Sinokor, and Klaveness Ship Management.

Backstory…

This comes just few days after US President Donald Trump announced the launch of a major new economic initiative targeting Iran, warning that any nation doing business with or providing assistance to the country will face severe financial consequences.

This intensified economic campaign unfolds as the US-Iran war and Hormuz crisis enters its sixth month without a clear military or diplomatic resolution in sight.

Meanwhile prior to the warning,  Donald Trump announced most crushing economic operation targeting Iran. The US President declared a campaign of full-scale economic warfare, warning foreign governments and global companies that assisting Tehran will bring direct American penalties.

The announcement was made through his Truth Social account on August 20, 2026. Consequently, Washington seeks to sever remaining financial lifelines as the seven-month Middle East crisis continues to disrupt international trade.

Read Also: Trump Announces Most Crushing Economic Operation Against Iran

List of Cargo Ships