Iranian oil sales at two-year high — over $3 billion in September despite U.S. blockade

Iran’s oil sales reached a two-year high in September, despite the U.S. naval blockade imposed on the country amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. The news was reported by Iran’s Planning and Budget Organization, according to the semi-official Mehr News agency.

According to the report, oil sales exceeded $3 billion in September — the highest monthly figure in two years. The report does not explain how Iran has managed to continue exports despite the U.S. blockade.

Analysts have previously suggested that Tehran could retain part of its oil sales even during the blockade, having built a large “shadow fleet” of tankers. Unconfirmed reports also say Iran is allowing Iraqi vessels carrying Iranian oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to evade U.S. restrictions.

The news comes on the same day the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the volume of oil, goods and gas passing through the Strait of Hormuz is at a six-month high, with nearly 200 ships passing safely within a week.

Source: Al Jazeera