Iran's Oil Surge: Navigating Market Shifts Amid Regional Tensions

By Julian Lee, June 18, 2025 (Bloomberg) – A recent publication by Bloomberg reveals that Iran’s oil exports have surged following an attack from Israel last Friday.According to TankerTrackers.com, a company that specializes in tracking covert shipping activities, the islamic Republic has been exporting around 2.33 million barrels daily since June 13. This marks a significant increase of 44% compared to the previous year leading up to June 12. Most of this oil is sourced from Kharg Island, which houses essential storage facilities for Iran’s oil.

The Israeli assault has led to rising crude prices and increased tanker rates as traders speculate on potential disruptions in oil flow from one of the globe’s major petroleum-producing regions. The situation at Kharg Island indicates that there have been minimal interruptions so far; vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz remain steady despite concerns.

Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers, commented on iran’s strategy: “It’s evident they’re focused on maximizing their output while prioritizing safety.” The firm utilizes satellite imagery to fill gaps left by traditional ship tracking methods like Automatic Identification System signals—especially crucial for monitoring Iranian vessels that frequently enough turn off their automated systems.Interestingly, there are no indications that Israel is targeting Iran’s oil-export infrastructure directly. However, if Tehran anticipates changes in hostilities, ramping up exports could be a strategic move to secure revenue and maintain supply lines temporarily.

The tightly packed storage tanks at Kharg make them more susceptible than ships scattered across the Persian Gulf or en route to markets like China. satellite images reveal that since the onset of Israeli attacks, empty tankers waiting near Kharg have been strategically dispersed—a tactic reminiscent of their response during similar conflicts last October when they managed uninterrupted exports.

Moreover, data compiled by Bloomberg suggests no significant alterations in oil shipments through Hormuz or changes in vessel speeds navigating this critical waterway responsible for about 20% of global oil production.Stay informed with our Daily maritime Insights newsletter—join over 109k subscribers who trust us for updates!