Iranian Tankers Amass Near Sri Lanka Amid US Blockade; Discrepancies in Numbers and Reporting
Approximately 20 Iranian oil tankers have gathered near Sri Lanka's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) due to the US blockade of the Hormuz Strait. The US maritime blockade, first implemented on April 13, 2026, and resumed on July 14, 2026, has prevented Iranian tankers from accessing home ports. Reports from multiple outlets indicate that the number of Iranian tankers varies between 11 and 20, with some sources noting the presence of empty vessels.
Where Sources Diverge
Arab News and Al Arabiya report that Sri Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off its coast, while The Dong-A Ilbo and Uzbekistan National News Agency report approximately 20 Iranian tankers.
Sri Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast
Sri Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast
About 20 Iranian oil tankers gather near Sri Lanka
Nearly 20 Iranian tankers under the Iranian flag have been stuck near Sri Lanka's islands
Arab Times and UANI report that the US blockade pushes Iranian tankers toward Asian waters, while The Dong-A Ilbo provides more detailed context on the US blockade and the Shadow Fleet.
US blockade pushes Iranian tankers toward Asian waters
The US blockade of the Hormuz Strait has made it difficult for Iranian ports to be accessed
Timelines
Sources
While the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues, nearly 20 Iranian tankers under the Iranian flag have been stuck near Sri Lanka's islands. This report was published by the Financial Times.
Sri Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast Arab News
Sri Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast Al Arabiya English
Iranian tankers gather off Sri Lankan coast AZƏRTAC
US blockade pushes Iranian tankers toward Asian waters: UANI Arab Times Kuwait News
In the wake of the US blockade of the Hormuz Strait, making it difficult for Iranian ports to be accessed, the Financial Times (FT) reported on the 26th (local time) that more than a dozen Iranian oil tankers have gathered along the coast of Sri Lanka. According to FT's analysis of ship tracking data, approximately 13 Iranian oil tankers were anchored near the boundary of Sri Lanka's territorial waters. It was also identified that ships linked to Iran's 'Shadow Fleet' had gathered together. The Shadow Fleet refers to vessels that secretly transported oil products to evade US sanctions. Samir Mandani, a co-founder of the maritime information company TankerTrackers.com, stated, 'Including the Iranian state-owned oil tankers that have taken refuge in Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without carrying cargo, the total number reaches about 20.' He added, 'All of them are estimated to be empty vessels,' and noted, 'They are likely to be more vulnerable to US military attacks as they are expected to re-enter Iranian waters soon.' The US maritime blockade, aimed at blocking Iran's fuel imports and oil exports, was first implemented on April 13. It was temporarily lifted in mid-June and then resumed on July 14.
Cut off from home ports by the US blockade, ships seek shelter close to Sri Lanka’s territorial waters