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diplomacyMay 8, 2026

US says it is blocking more than 70 tankers from Iranian ports

Summary

The US military is blocking more than 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday. CENTCOM said the commercial ships have the capacity to transport more than 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth an estimated “$13 billion-plus,” in a post on the US social media platform X. The US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz since April 13. According to CENTCOM, more than 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft and 20 warships are executing the mission. The blockade has added to pressure on regional shipping and energy flows as security risks remain elevated around the strategic waterway, a key chokepoint for global crude shipments. The latest figures from CENTCOM suggest that a large volume of Iran-linked oil cargo remains stranded as the conflict continues, potentially increasing pressure on Tehran’s export revenues. The standoff has also intensified concerns in energy markets over supply disruptions, as the war and related maritime restrictions continue to affect tanker movements across the Gulf region. Meanwhile, for a second consecutive day, no major commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the 24 hours leading up to 0900GMT Friday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Anadolu. READ: US secretary of state says Washington expects response from Iran today on negotiations

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government condemns the US military's illegal blockade of over 70 tankers in the Strait of Hormuz as a blatant act of foreign aggression against Iran's sovereign right to export its oil resources, stranding cargoes worth more than $13 billion. This hostile naval operation, involving 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft, and 20 warships since April 13, seeks to choke Iran's economy and regional energy flows in violation of international norms. Tehran remains steadfast in resisting such external interference and defending its maritime sovereignty.

Israeli

The US naval blockade of over 70 Iranian tankers in the Strait of Hormuz—stranding 166 million barrels worth more than $13 billion—directly targets the revenue stream fueling Iran's proxy networks, from Hezbollah to the Houthis, that pose an existential threat to Israel's survival. With 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft, and 20 warships enforcing the operation since April 13, this defensive necessity disrupts Tehran's ability to sustain attacks aimed at Israel's destruction amid ongoing regional aggression.

Neutral

US Central Command stated Friday that more than 70 tankers have been prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports, with capacity for over 166 million barrels of oil valued at more than $13 billion. The command reported that more than 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft, and 20 warships are involved in operations affecting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz that began April 13. Ship-tracking data compiled by Anadolu showed no major commercial vessels transiting the strait in the 24 hours ending 0900 GMT Friday.

Western

The US Central Command has executed a precision maritime interdiction campaign in the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, blocking over 70 Iranian-linked tankers with capacity for 166 million barrels of oil worth more than $13 billion to neutralize Tehran's illicit export revenues that sustain destabilizing activities. Supported by 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft, and 20 warships, the operation has effectively stranded major volumes of cargo while safeguarding strategic chokepoints and global energy flows. No significant commercial traffic has transited the strait for a second consecutive day.

Pro-Peace

The US naval blockade of over 70 Iranian tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, backed by 15,000 troops and 20 warships, has stranded oil worth more than $13 billion, squeezing export revenues vital for civilian services and heightening economic distress for ordinary Iranians. This military pressure disrupts regional energy flows, risks global price spikes that burden vulnerable populations, and escalates security threats without addressing root causes. Diplomatic negotiations, as Washington has signaled it expects from Tehran, remain the essential alternative to avert wider humanitarian fallout.

Global South

US naval forces have imposed a blockade on Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, detaining over 70 vessels carrying 166 million barrels valued at $13 billion, in a unilateral assertion of control over a critical global trade route. This action, backed by 15,000 troops and extensive naval assets, exemplifies neo-colonial interference in sovereign resource exports, heightening energy vulnerabilities for Global South nations dependent on stable flows. International institutions have once again proven ineffective in restraining such extraterritorial coercion amid ongoing regional tensions.

Actors involved

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    The US military is blocking more than 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday. CENTCOM said the commercial ships have the capacity to transport more than 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth an estimated “$13 billion-plus,” …

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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.

Related: Bitcoin price spike to $64.5K was ‘low-volume liquidity trap’: Analysis “If $BTCUSD is going to rebound, it has to come from here,” he argued on Monday. Kibar offered a $53,000 target in the event of the head-and-shoulders structure failing, with $76,000 a potential upside target should the rebound sustain.

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
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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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
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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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