On Monday, a maritime tracking company reported that 121 empty oil tankers are en route to the U.S. Gulf Coast. This movement is a direct response to President Donald Trump's call for countries affected by the Strait of Hormuz crisis to seek energy supplies from the United States instead of the Persian Gulf.
Both TankerTrackers and MarineTraffic confirmed the development, which was highlighted by Fox News as a breaking news alert under the headline "121 Empty Oil Tankers Bound for U.S."
Trump publicly urged nations struggling due to Iran's disruption in the strait to replace Persian Gulf oil with American crude and gas, prompting a significant response from the market with this large-scale shift of vessels.
Among the 121 tankers headed to the U.S., 68 are ultra-large crude carriers, each capable of transporting up to two million barrels, amounting to a combined capacity exceeding 136 million barrels.
U.S. Naval Blockade and Market Reactions
The movement of tankers comes just hours after Trump announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, effective from 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad. These negotiations, led by Vice President JD Vance, lasted nearly 20 hours without reaching an agreement.
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz erupted on February 28 with "Operation Epic Fury," a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iranian nuclear and naval facilities, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, Iran blocked the strait on March 4 using mines, drones, and missiles, declaring "full control" and halting 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply, equivalent to 16.7 to 20 million barrels daily.
Impact on Global Oil Supply
The Iranian blockade stranded nearly 2,000 ships with 20,000 sailors, and at least 187 tankers holding 170 million barrels were trapped in the Persian Gulf. Iran demanded tolls exceeding one million dollars per vessel attempting passage.
Brent crude prices surged from $67 per barrel before the conflict to over $126 at its peak in March, with prices hovering around $102-104 on Monday following the U.S. naval blockade announcement.
On April 9, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett had already proposed guaranteed purchase agreements for U.S. oil and gas to allies as an alternative to Persian Gulf supplies.
U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate
Trump warned that any vessel approaching the blockade would be "immediately eliminated" and that "no one paying an illegal toll will have safe passage," directly addressing Iranian extortion.
Iran labeled the naval blockade as "piracy" and cautioned that no Gulf port would be safe if theirs were obstructed. Two tankers, including the "Rich Starry," altered course just 20 minutes after the blockade's enforcement.
By April 2026, U.S. crude exports neared five million barrels per day, although analysts caution that the sustainable maximum capacity from the Gulf Coast is below six million barrels daily due to infrastructure and logistics bottlenecks.
Understanding the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
What triggered the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz?
The crisis began with a joint U.S.-Israel military operation targeting Iranian nuclear and naval sites, which led to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to block the strait in retaliation.
How has the crisis affected global oil supply?
The blockade has stalled 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply, causing significant disruptions and contributing to a spike in global oil prices.
What measures has the U.S. taken in response to the crisis?
The U.S. has implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports and called for countries to replace Persian Gulf oil with American energy supplies.