Two empty crude tankers attempted to make their way through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf on Sunday, only to make last-minute U-turns just as peace negotiations between the US and Iran broke down, threatening a fragile ceasefire.
Two empty crude tankers attempted to make their way through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf on Sunday, only to make last-minute U-turns just as peace negotiations between the US and Iran broke down, threatening a fragile ceasefire.
Two empty crude tankers attempted to make their way through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf on Sunday, only to make last-minute U-turns just as peace negotiations between the US and Iran broke down, threatening a fragile ceasefire.
Two empty crude tankers attempted to make their way through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf on Sunday, only to make last-minute U-turns just as peace negotiations between the US and Iran broke down, threatening a fragile ceasefire.
Two Chinese supertankers loaded with crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz hours after a Greek vessel moved through the waterway, marking a significant uptick in oil shipping traffic days after a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced.
Two Chinese supertankers loaded with crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz hours after a Greek vessel moved through the waterway, marking a significant uptick in oil shipping traffic days after a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced.
A Russian-flagged supertanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, marking a rare passage for one of the nation’s ships as traders scrutinize every transit through the war-hit waterway.
A Russian-flagged supertanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, marking a rare passage for one of the nation’s ships as traders scrutinize every transit through the war-hit waterway.
Two Japanese crude tankers are heading east along the Persian Gulf in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a growing number of vessels gathered at the entrance to the waterway during a US-Iran ceasefire, even as President Donald Trump ramps up criticism and transits remain limited.
Two Japanese crude tankers are heading east along the Persian Gulf in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a growing number of vessels gathered at the entrance to the waterway during a US-Iran ceasefire, even as President Donald Trump ramps up criticism and transits remain limited.
Vessels have been gathering near the Strait of Hormuz since a US-Iran ceasefire was announced.
Two Japanese crude tankers are heading east along the Persian Gulf in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a growing number of vessels gathered at the entrance to the waterway during a US-Iran ceasefire, even as President Donald Trump ramps up criticism and transits remain limited.
Two Japanese crude tankers are heading east along the Persian Gulf in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a growing number of vessels gathered at the entrance to the waterway during a US-Iran ceasefire, even as President Donald Trump ramps up criticism and transits remain limited.
Vessels have been gathering near the Strait of Hormuz since a US-Iran ceasefire was announced.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked Thursday, limited to a handful of Iran-linked ships, another sign that a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has yet to improve flows through the world’s key energy chokepoint.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked Thursday, limited to a handful of Iran-linked ships, another sign that a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has yet to improve flows through the world’s key energy chokepoint.
Vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz in Oman on April 8.
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
An oil tanker is docked unloading crude oil at the port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province, on April 7, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
An oil tanker is docked unloading crude oil at the port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province, on April 7, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz with a third on its way, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinize the details of the truce.
An oil tanker is docked unloading crude oil at the port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province, on April 7, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT
Shipowners are rushing to understand the fine print of a US-Iran ceasefire that could temporarily unblock the Strait of Hormuz and, at least in theory, provide an exit window for more than 800 vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf.
Shipowners are rushing to understand the fine print of a US-Iran ceasefire that could temporarily unblock the Strait of Hormuz and, at least in theory, provide an exit window for more than 800 vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf.
Shipowners are rushing to understand the fine print of a US-Iran ceasefire that could temporarily unblock the Strait of Hormuz and, at least in theory, provide an exit window for more than 800 vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf.
Shipowners are rushing to understand the fine print of a US-Iran ceasefire that could temporarily unblock the Strait of Hormuz and, at least in theory, provide an exit window for more than 800 vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf.
Iran is tightening control over the strategic waterway even as the US demands a reopening.
US President Donald Trump during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, April 6, 2026. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran are "going well" ahead of a Tuesday night deadline to agree to a deal, even as he insisted that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be part of any agreement. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg
India is set to import the most oil from Venezuela in almost six years, helping the world’s third-largest crude importer replace Middle East grades disrupted by the Iran war.
India is set to import the most oil from Venezuela in almost six years, helping the world’s third-largest crude importer replace Middle East grades disrupted by the Iran war.
Two loaded liquefied natural gas carriers that had seemingly aborted an attempt to exit the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz are now headed in the direction of Qatar.
Two loaded liquefied natural gas carriers that had seemingly aborted an attempt to exit the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz are now headed in the direction of Qatar.
Cargo vessels and oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz in Febraury. Photographer: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has climbed to its highest levels since the early days of the war, as more countries secure apparent safe-passage agreements with Iran.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has climbed to its highest levels since the early days of the war, as more countries secure apparent safe-passage agreements with Iran.
A vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on March 22, 2026. Photographer: Getty Images/Getty Images Europe
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has climbed to its highest levels since the early days of the war, as more countries secure apparent safe-passage agreements with Iran.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has climbed to its highest levels since the early days of the war, as more countries secure apparent safe-passage agreements with Iran.
A vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on March 22, 2026. Photographer: Getty Images/Getty Images Europe
Two tankers carrying liquefied natural gas from Qatar appear to be attempting to exit the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, with the move being closely monitored as a successful transit would mark the first exports to buyers outside of the region since the war started.
Two tankers carrying liquefied natural gas from Qatar appear to be attempting to exit the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, with the move being closely monitored as a successful transit would mark the first exports to buyers outside of the region since the war started.
The white ship is the Al Daayen tanker, and the blue ship is the Rasheeda.
Of all the things Donald Trump has done to disrupt global commerce, from levying punitive tariffs to tearing up trade deals, few would be as consequential as withdrawing and leaving the rest of the world to secure the Persian Gulf.
Of all the things Donald Trump has done to disrupt global commerce, from levying punitive tariffs to tearing up trade deals, few would be as consequential as withdrawing and leaving the rest of the world to secure the Persian Gulf.
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photographer: Altaf Qadri/AP Photo
An oil tanker carrying crude from Iraq appeared to be transiting the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint, a day after Iran said its neighbor had special exemption to use the waterway.
An oil tanker carrying crude from Iraq appeared to be transiting the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint, a day after Iran said its neighbor had special exemption to use the waterway.
A commuter makes her way past a billboard with a sentence reading 'The Strait of Hormuz remains closed' at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on April 5, 2026. Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported on April 5, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /