Oil routes wobble: Two tankers turn back from Hormuz as US strikes on Iran raise fears of wider conflict

Two supertankers, each capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of crude oil, made a U-turn in the Strait of Hormuz after US airstrikes on Iran triggered fears of retaliation that could affect commercial shipping through the region, Bloomberg reported.

The Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty had both entered the key waterway before abruptly reversing course on Sunday, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The two empty tankers then sailed south, away from the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

Although jamming of ship signals and electronics in the Persian Gulf has increased since Israeli airstrikes on June 13, the movement and subsequent turnarounds of the two vessels resemble routine tanker behaviour rather than irregular incidents.

Also Read: Iran is considering closing Strait of Hormuz after US strikes nuclear sites: Reports

Despite signal interference and attempts by ships to stay further away from the Iranian coastline, oil and gas tankers have continued transiting the strait following the US airstrikes. However, the decision by the Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty to turn back marks the first indication of possible re-routing.

Vessel owners and oil traders are now watching closely for signs that the broader conflict in the Middle East could begin to influence shipping flows. Earlier on Sunday, the Greek shipping ministry issued a notice advising its vessels to reassess voyages through Hormuz and instead take shelter in safe ports until the situation stabilises.

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The United States launched one of its largest aerial attacks in decades on Sunday, striking Iran’s key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the operation—named Operation Midnight Hammer—was “an incredible and overwhelming success,” carried out on the direct orders of President Donald Trump.

Following the strikes, Iran is now considering the option of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, according to a EuroNews report published on Sunday. The strait is one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints for oil shipping.

Commercial satellite images suggest the US attack may have severely damaged—or even destroyed—the underground Fordow nuclear facility and the centrifuges used for uranium enrichment. However, experts said on Sunday there was no official confirmation yet.

Also Read: Operation Midnight Hammer: How the US bombed Iran's nuclear sites without being detected

Sardar Esmail Kowsari, a commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a member of parliament, told local media that closing the Strait of Hormuz “is under consideration,” and added, “Iran will make the best decision with determination.”

Given the rising tensions, vessels might now prefer to wait outside the strait rather than proceed to their designated loading ports if delays are expected upon arrival.

Even before the weekend attacks, benchmark tanker earnings had risen by nearly 90%. On Sunday night, freight derivatives appeared to surge, reflecting expectations of disruption.

EuroNews also reported that, in case of further escalation, Iran could use its short- and medium-range missiles to target oil platforms and pipelines in the strait, or launch attacks on commercial ships. Surface-to-surface missiles could be aimed at tankers or coastal facilities, while drones and airstrikes could potentially disable radar and navigation systems at major terminals.