Iran Blacklists 45 Oil Tankers in Response to Trump’s Economic 'D-Day' Against Tehran

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of an economic "D-Day" aimed at crippling Iran's regime, Tehran has responded with new measures targeting maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the blacklisting of 45 oil, gas, and clean product tankers, accusing them of violating transit rules in the strait. The newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned that vessels on the blacklist could face fines, detention, and cargo confiscation, and that any ship transferring cargo alongside these tankers would also face repercussions.

This escalation comes amid heightened tensions after Washington threatened unprecedented sanctions and imposed a naval blockade on ships linked to Iran, escorting tankers through the strait. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted that over 8 million barrels of oil per day pass through the Strait of Hormuz, crediting the U.S. Navy for maintaining the flow. Tehran insists that shipowners must obtain prior passage approval and pay for security services, with removal from the blacklist requiring formal applications to Iranian maritime authorities.

The Iranian blacklist includes tankers owned by major shipping companies from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea. In parallel, the U.S. Senate Treasury Secretary announced new economic sanctions targeting Iranian banks and international entities engaged in trade with Iran. This tit-for-tat development underscores the growing confrontation over control of vital oil shipping lanes and economic pressure on Iran.