Reuters reported on March 6, 2026, that at least five crude oil tankers departed Iranian ports following U.S.-led airstrikes that began on February 28.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipments also left on March 6. Ship trackers and traders cited by Reuters confirmed departures from Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal between February 28 and March 2, with tracking data supporting these movements. VesselFinder noted that in a previous incident, a cargo vessel fired upon by Iranian patrol boats avoided further conflict by entering UAE territorial waters. (Five Iranian patrol boats fire at oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, 2015) Despite operational disruptions and slower activity, Iran-linked crude and LPG cargos continue to sail. This includes two LPG tankers, Fortune Gas and Danuta, which Reuters and maritime platforms reported loaded and departed on Friday; both vessels are subject to U.S. sanctions. (Treasury Targets Iran’s Shadow Fleet, Networks Supplying Ballistic Missile and ACW Programs, 2026)
Reuters cited tracking data from United Against Nuclear Iran, TankerTrackers.com, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, and MarineTraffic. These departures highlight the continued flow of Iranian energy exports despite increased military activity and regional shipping risks.
