Two US-sanctioned tankers carrying cooking fuel are U-turning and zig-zagging in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, part of a flotilla of vessels laden with Iranian energy exports that are facing an aggressive US blockade of the country’s shipping.

The vessels’ erratic movements signal the growing impact of American enforcement efforts targeting Iran’s maritime trade. Satellite tracking shows the tankers abruptly changing course, avoiding direct routes to evade interception.

Analysts say the blockade reflects a broader strategy to choke off Iran’s oil revenue, with the US deploying naval assets and sanctions to disrupt supply chains. The flotilla includes multiple ships carrying refined products, all now navigating uncertain waters.

As tensions rise, the zig-zag patterns underscore the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Iran’s smuggling networks and US enforcement, with global energy markets watching closely for any escalation.