U.S. sanctions pressure leaves dozens of Iranian oil tankers stranded in Asian waters

Dozens of vessels are adrift, as the U.S. threatens sanctions for countries or companies coming to their assistance

A targeted U.S. economic pressure campaign has left dozens of Iranian and Iranian-linked oil tankers stranded and adrift in Asian waters. The stagnation follows strict enforcement measures and warnings from Washington threatening sanctions against any foreign nations, ports, or commercial entities that assist the fleet.

With potential helpers deterred by penalties, many vessels face mounting operational restrictions and logistics deadlocks while holding millions of barrels of crude oil at sea.