Iran Names 45 Tankers on a Hormuz Compliance Blacklist as Indian Refiners Steer Clear

Three Indian oil refining companies and a global energy major will stop using tankers on a blacklist Iran issued last Sunday, Shahrivar 1 (August 23, 2026), in response to US sanctions, Oilprice.com reported on Wednesday, Shahrivar 4 (August 26, 2026), citing Reuters and unnamed sources. The list names 45 vessels that Tehran says violated its rules for transiting the Strait of Hormuz; Iran's newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned in a social media statement that listed vessels caught in the strait could face fines, detention and cargo confiscation.

Citing sources, Reuters reported the curbs also affect so called shuttle tankers that the UAE and Saudi Arabia use to move Persian Gulf crude to larger vessels for export; one source at an Indian refinery said the company's fleet will avoid any ship to ship transfer involving non compliant vessels for Middle East cargoes. The blacklist announcement came a day before the US Treasury unveiled its new sanctions package against Iran on Monday, Shahrivar 2 (August 24). Reuters also reported some shipping companies are weighing whether to suspend ship to ship transfers in the Persian Gulf altogether, a step that could deepen disruption to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.