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diplomacyMay 3, 2026

Iranian supertanker bypasses US Navy blockade

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An Iranian tanker successfully evaded the US Navy blockade to deliver millions of dollars worth of crude oil to the Asia-Pacific, highlighting ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts. Key Points - An Iranian tanker, HUGE, successfully bypassed the US Navy to reach the Asia-Pacific region. - The tanker was carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, valued at approximately $220 million. - The US maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports, aiming to cut off Tehran's oil revenue. - The US has warned shipping firms against paying Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. - Diplomatic channels between the US and Iran remain open, with a ceasefire currently in place. A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company has successfully bypassed the United States Navy to reach the Asia-Pacific, transporting over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil with an estimated value of nearly $220 million, according to TankerTrackers.com. In a post on X, the monitoring firm identified the vessel as 'HUGE' and noted that it was last spotted off the coast of Sri Lanka more than a week ago. The tanker is currently reported to be traversing the Lombok Strait of Indonesia, heading towards the Riau Archipelago. TankerTrackers.com stated that 'HUGE' had not transmitted on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) since March 20, following its departure from the Strait of Malacca for Iran. These findings coincide with claims by Iranian state media on April 29 that at least 52 ships had successfully breached the American blockade. US Blockade and Iranian Oil Exports Despite these reported breaches, Al Jazeera reports that US officials contend the blockade is proving effective and has resulted in the loss of billions in revenue for Tehran. Washington, DC asserts that the country is currently unable to export oil and will be pressured to store its supplies until storage capacity is exhausted and production is forced to a halt. Further underscoring this maritime tension, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a post on X on Saturday that the USS New Orleans (LPD-18) was operating in the Arabian Sea to enforce these restrictions. The post read: 'USS New Orleans (LPD 18) sails in the Arabian Sea during the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, April 28. Over the past 20 days, 48 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the blockade.' US Stance on the Strait of Hormuz While maintaining the scale of these operations, Washington, DC has categorically stated that its naval blockade in West Asia applies specifically to Iranian ports and coastline and does not constitute a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Amid these heightened maritime restrictions, US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he is currently examining a fresh proposal from the Islamic Republic aimed at concluding the conflict, though he voiced significant doubt regarding the likelihood of a deal. Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire "I'll let you know about it later," the President told reporters prior to boarding Air Force One. He further noted that "they're going to give me the exact wording now." Shortly after his interaction with the press, Trump took to social media to comment on the submission, remarking that he 'can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity and the World over the last 47 years'. According to two semi-official news outlets, Tasnim and Fars, Tehran has dispatched a 14-point plan via a Pakistani intermediary as a counter to a nine-point framework previously suggested by the United States. While these outlets reported the move, the state-run media has remained silent on the details of the new initiative. Notably, Pakistan has historically served as the venue for previous diplomatic engagements between the two nations. This development follows the President's rejection of an earlier Iranian offer this week. However, despite the ongoing friction, diplomatic channels remain open, and a ceasefire, now in its third week, appears to be holding. Strait of Hormuz and Shipping Sanctions In tandem with these negotiations, the US President has also proposed a separate strategy to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, the waterway is a vital global chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas trade passes. However, the US has concurrently issued a stern warning to shipping firms, stating they could be subjected to sanctions for paying Tehran to secure safe transit through the Strait. This follows the Islamic Republic's effective halting of traffic through the waterway by targeting and threatening vessels after the commencement of conflict with the US and Israel on February 28. Subsequently, Tehran proposed safe passage for certain ships through routes in closer proximity to its coastline, occasionally demanding fees for the service. On Friday, the US specifically cautioned against transfers involving not only cash but also 'digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments', which include charitable contributions and payments made at Iranian embassies. This financial squeeze complements the naval blockade maintained since April 13, an operation designed to strip the regime of the oil revenue essential for supporting its struggling economy.

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  • Utkarsh MishraBy Utkarsh Mishra

    An Iranian tanker successfully evaded the US Navy blockade to deliver millions of dollars worth of crude oil to the Asia-Pacific, highlighting ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts. Key Points - An Iranian tanker, HUGE, successfully bypassed the US Navy to reach the Asia-Pacifi…

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Key points: Bitcoin diverges from US stocks as Trump says Strait of Hormuz “open” Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD building on the week’s gains as the S&P 500 bounced from 7,696, its lowest level since Aug. 4. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView This came after US president Donald Trump posted a map of the closed Strait of Hormuz oil route to Truth Social where it was labeled “new US territory.

” Both the US and Iran lay claim to control of Hormuz, with Trump threatening US ally Oman with military action over its plans to work with Iran on charging tolls to shipping traffic. In a subsequent post, Trump confirmed that further diplomacy with Iran was not on the agenda.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote. S&P 500 one-day chart.

Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView As on Monday, oil avoided major volatility, with WTI crude down 1% at the time of writing at $84 per barrel. US government bonds continued to show strain, with the 30-year yield hitting 5.34%, its highest since January 2007.

“Bond prices are sending warnings,” BNY Mellon analyst Geoff Yu wrote in a research note quoted by the New York Times. Yu said that the surge came as “investors demand more compensation for inflation risk,” while also attributing the upside to government borrowing.

US 30-year bond yields one-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView BTC price faces crunch rebound test Updating X followers on BTC/USD, trader and analyst Aksel Kibar eyed the culmination of a potential reverse head-and-shoulders pattern at $62,300.

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BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

This moving average is now in place as resistance at $65,827.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for crude markets, shipping and energy security. Earlier, Press TV reported that Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a high-level Iranian delegation for discussions with Iraqi leaders.

The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. “The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz,” UKMTO said.

The impact damaged the vessel's engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the agency said. The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani coastguard. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Location: Tehran