Iran's Petroleum Minister Says Oil Exports Continued 'Even for One Hour' Despite Blockade

Iran's Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad told ISNA that Iran's oil industry continues to find ways to circumvent the US naval blockade, saying crude sales and deliveries to international customers continued throughout the war — including during two separate blockade periods (April-June and since July 15) — by conducting sales and deliveries thousands of kilometers from the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. He said exports 'did not stop even for one hour' and described the situation as 'difficult but manageable.' Independent tanker-tracking data (Vortexa) shows Iranian port loadings fell to roughly 260,000 barrels/day in August — about 80% below the ~1.7M bpd loaded in August 2025 — suggesting exports have been sharply reduced even if not eliminated.