Iran has tripled the rate of loading tankers in recent days as Tehran rushes to get its oil out of the Gulf ahead of potential further escalation of the tensions with the United States, according to vessel-tracking data.
Crude oil exports from Iran’s key export hub on the Kharg Island soared to 20.1 million barrels during the period February 15 to 20, according to Kpler data cited by Bloomberg. The rate of loadings at Kharg Island, which handles nearly all of Iran’s oil export volumes, was three times higher between February 15 and February 20, compared to the period January 15-20, for example. The loadings last week were equivalent to over 3 million barrels per day of crude oil, which is more than double Iran’s estimated typical export levels in recent years.
The elevated rate of oil loadings in recent days suggests that Iran is bracing itself for a possible escalation of the U.S.-Iran tensions and could be preparing for some kind of U.S. military intervention, analysts say.
In recent years, Iran has on several occasions rushed to ship oil out of Kharg Island at times of heightened tensions.
For example, in October 2024, Iranian oil tankers moved away from Kharg Island amid fears of an imminent Israeli attack on the most important crude export infrastructure in Iran.
During the June 2025 conflict with Israel, analysts did not rule out that Kharg Island—the crude terminal handling 90% of Iranian crude oil exports—could become a target of Israeli strikes.
While Iran hastens to ship crude out of its waters, the U.S. continues to amass military forces in the region.
The United States and Iran are holding a round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday—negotiations that analysts see as possibly the last chance of reaching a nuclear deal through diplomacy.
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com
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