Iranian Oil Minister Paknejad said his country’s oil exports have continued despite the US naval blockade.
Paknejad said oil sales were continuing through deliveries to customers in far-off waters beyond Iran’s territorial waters. He said details of the process could not be disclosed because doing so could allow Iran’s adversaries to exploit the information.
Sales have declined but continue
Paknejad said the US blockade had reduced oil sales but had not brought exports to a complete halt. He added that the necessary measures to maintain operations would be carefully monitored.
Central Bank governor made a different statement
Iranian Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said in a statement on August 20 that his country’s oil exports had come to a complete halt. Hemmati said officials from Qatar and Iraq had reported during talks that exports had fallen to zero, adding that the same situation applied to Iran.
Naval blockade and export route
Iranian ports, as well as the entry and exit of Iranian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, were blocked as part of the US naval blockade against Iran. China receives most of Iran’s oil exports.