Iraqi Tanker Crosses Strait of Hormuz After Iran Grants Exemption

KUALA LUMPUR — An oil tanker carrying Iraqi crude oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast, one day after Iran stated that Iraq was exempt from any restrictions for transiting the strategic waterway, according to data from LSEG and Kpler. The Ocean Thunder loaded about 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude on 2 March and is estimated to discharge its cargo in Pengerang, Malaysia, in mid-April, according to Kpler data.

The tanker, which according to data was chartered by Petco, a unit of Malaysia’s state-owned energy company Petronas, is one of seven Malaysian-linked vessels permitted by Iran to cross the strait, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The two sources declined to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry and Petronas did not respond to requests for comment outside business hours.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last month that Iran would allow Malaysian vessels to cross the strait following talks with Iranian officials.

Malaysia’s foreign minister later stated that there were seven vessels linked to Malaysian companies—including Petronas, Vantris Energy, and MISC—awaiting permission to cross the waterway, as reported by the state news agency.

Iran had previously effectively closed the strait, which is the route for around one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, in response to US and Israeli airstrikes that began at the end of February.

Iran then stated it would allow vessels with no links to the United States or Israel to pass through. In recent days, three tankers operated by Oman, a French-owned container ship, and a Japanese gas carrier have crossed the strait.

Malaysia stated on Wednesday that Iran would allow its vessels to cross the strait without paying additional fees.

Iran had previously also stated it could impose fees on vessels crossing the waterway.