Front-Forth

Two unloaded VLCC, the 'Agios Fanourios I' and the 'Shalamar', turned back at the Strait of Hormuz on April 12, 2026, after reaching close to the key transit point, as talks between th eUSA and Iran ended without any agreement. On the whole, three VLCCs, none directly linked to Iran, had started moving towards the Strait from the Gulf of Oman late on Aprl 11. They reached near Iran’s Larak Island early on April 12, which is seen as a checkpoint for vessels entering the waterway. The Iraq-bound 'Agios Fanourios I'' and the 'Shalamar', heading to Das Island, took a U-turn and moved away from the strait. The third tanker, the 'Mombasa B,' continued its journey and passed through the Iran-approved route between Larak and Qeshm islands into the Persian Gulf. The vessel was not indicating a clear destination. Both Iraq and Pakistan had earlier received approval from Iran to use the route.