US-Iran negotiations have reached a stalemate, dashing expectations for a near-term resumption of normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
On April 12, according to a Bloomberg report, two empty supertankers abruptly turned back on Sunday after approaching a key checkpoint in the Strait of Hormuz, a timing that coincided precisely with the announcement by US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad that talks had collapsed.
Military tensions escalated concurrently with the negotiations. According to CCTV News, on April 11 (US Eastern Time), the US Central Command announced that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Persian Gulf, describing the action as part of a mission to completely clear mines laid by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the strait. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces immediately issued a forceful denial, stating that transit rights for any vessel in the Strait of Hormuz are entirely under the control of the Iranian armed forces.
Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blockaded, leading to energy supply disruptions of a scale rarely seen in history. The collapse of these negotiations means the issue of passage through the strait is unlikely to be resolved in the short term, and market anxiety over crude oil supply is expected to continue to rise.
<h2>Two Tankers Turn Back, Third Successfully Passes</h2>
According to vessel tracking data, three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) with no direct links to Iran approached the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman late Saturday night and arrived near Iran's Larak Island in the early hours of Sunday.
At the actual checkpoint, the Agios Fanourios I, en route to Iraq, and the Pakistan-flagged Shalamar, destined for Das Island in the UAE, turned back in succession. The third VLCC, the Mombasa B, continued its journey, entering the Persian Gulf via the Iranian-approved route between Larak Island and Qeshm Island; it has not yet signaled a specific destination.
The specific reason for the turnaround remains unclear. Bloomberg noted that Iraq and Pakistan had previously obtained transit permits from Iran, but the last-minute retreat of the two vessels occurred exactly as the US-Iran negotiations were declared a failure.
<h2>Strait's Situation Remains Volatile, Passage Risks High</h2>
Since the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, several vessels have attempted to transit only to abandon the effort midway, reflecting the persistent instability of the local security situation. According to Bloomberg, several container ships turned back late last month before eventually successfully exiting; an LNG carrier also aborted its transit midway last week.
Furthermore, according to Bloomberg, a brief positive signal appeared on Saturday—two supertankers and a Greek vessel laden with crude oil exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. Had all three vessels successfully passed on Sunday, it would have sustained this positive momentum, but the final outcome has dashed market expectations.

The US-Iran talks are about to be held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Pakistan has activated a red alert, deploying over 10,000 military and police personnel to tightly control key areas and ensure the security of the talks. Do you think this crucial meeting can ease tensions in the Middle East?

The US-Iran talks are about to be held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Pakistan has activated a red alert, deploying over 10,000 military and police personnel to tightly control key areas and ensure the security of the talks. Do you think this crucial meeting can ease tensions in the Middle East?

With US-Iran negotiations imminent, where is the situation in the Middle East headed?

CRAK

Three supertankers with no direct links to Iran approached the Strait of Hormuz late Saturday night. Two of the empty tankers abruptly turned back as they neared a key checkpoint, a move that coincided with the announced collapse of US-Iran negotiations; a third tanker continued its journey into the Persian Gulf. During the negotiations, US destroyers transited the strait, drawing a firm response from Iran, which asserted that transit rights are entirely under its control

- Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have stalled, dampening hopes for the short-term normalization of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.  
- On April 11, two supertankers unexpectedly turned back near a critical checkpoint, coinciding with the announcement of the failed talks, while U.S. Navy ships were active in the area to counter threats from Iranian forces.  
- The ongoing instability in the Strait has led to unprecedented energy supply disruptions, causing continued market anxiety over oil supply, as indicated by recent ship movements and failed crossings.

US-Iran Talks Break Down, Two Supertankers Turn Back in Strait of Hormuz