The blacklist encompasses ships linked to major regional producers, specifically Saudi Arabia’s Bahri and the UAE’s ADNOC Logistics & Services, along with its subsidiary Navig8 Tankers. Tehran’s move enforces a controversial mandate requiring vessels to obtain Iranian clearance for passage, a demand previously ignored by international shippers. The authority intends to expand its reach further, threatening to target any vessel conducting ship-to-ship transfers with the 45 flagged carriers.

Traffic through the critical waterway has already plummeted. Kpler data indicates only four commodity vessels completed the transit on Sunday, down from 13 the previous day. UK Maritime Trade Operations reports that AIS-detected activity is currently tracking 90% below pre-war levels. While Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted a seven-day average of 8 million barrels per day leaving the strait, the environment remains volatile ahead of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s scheduled announcement of new sanctions on Monday. With Iranian crude shipments to Asia already stalled, the market braces for the impact of what Washington has labeled an economic D-Day.