Oil tankers with 35 million barrels stuck in Persian Gulf exited Strait of Hormuz since Iran deal

At least 20 oil tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf with 35 million barrels have exited through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Iran agreed to open the sea lane, according to data provided by Kpler, a firm that tracks global trade flows. The tankers, which were not Iranian in origin, had been stuck in the Gulf for more than three months after Tehran effectively closed Hormuz early in the war, Kpler analysts said in a Tuesday note. The ships should reach their final destinations, which are mostly in Asia, by early August, the analysts said. In total, confirmed oil shipments through Hormuz have risen to around 4.8 million barrels per day since the U.S.-Iran deal, according to Kpler. Oil flows in June are the highest since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. But exports remain well below prewar levels when 15 million bpd exited the strait. Iranian oil tankers carrying about 21 million barrels have exited Hormuz in June, the Kpler analysts said.The U.S. Navy lifted its blockade of Iran on June 18 and the Treasury Department this week waived sanctions on the country's oil sales through August. Tankers loaded since late April have exited Hormuz with 51 million barrels this month, the Kpler analysts said. These ships are not of Iranian origin and had their transponders turned off, the analysts said. The actual figure is likely even higher, they said. …