Iranian Tanker Enters Indonesian Waters Amid US Blockade

A crude oil tanker linked to Iran has reportedly entered Indonesian waters amid a blockade by United States (US) forces. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has recorded reports of the Iranian tanker’s entry.

Cited from Middle East Eye on Tuesday (5/5/2026), TankerTrackers.com stated that a second very large crude carrier (VLCC) tanker linked to Iran has entered the Lombok Strait and is heading to the Riau Islands.

The company identified the vessel as DERYA, stating that it had avoided the US Navy after a failed attempt to deliver approximately 1.88 million barrels of crude oil to India.

In a post on X, TankerTrackers said: “We then saw it continue its journey south, at a time when similar vessels in the area were redirected back to Iran by the US Navy. The vessel is currently en route to a meeting point in the Riau Islands.”

This update follows a similar report on the tanker HUGE, and the company added that several Iranian tankers have reached destinations, been diverted, or seized amid ongoing maritime restrictions.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said they have noted the entry of Iranian tankers into Indonesian waters. Navigation rules in Indonesian waters, she said, are subject to UNCLOS 1982, which respects all types of traffic in each maritime zone.

“Indonesia has recorded reports regarding the presence of foreign vessels in Indonesian waters,” Yvonne stated in her comments on Tuesday (5/5).

Yvonne said the government is conducting field verification as well as ongoing internal coordination, and views the vessels as exercising their right of passage in accordance with international law.

“We will continue to monitor this situation and communicate through appropriate diplomatic channels,” she added.