The US naval blockade on Iran ended last month following a standoff that paralyzed global energy markets. The operation began on April 13, 2026. It was a direct retaliation for Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz after the February US-Israel aerial campaign. Now, officials in Tehran confirm the blockade completely froze the nation’s energy sector.
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated the country could not export a “single barrel of oil” during the 50 to 60-day US blockade of its ports. Speaking on state television, he noted May 2026 crude oil exports dropped to absolute zero. Petroleum product shipments fell to a mere 64,000 barrels per day. The situation reversed rapidly after a June 17 Memorandum of Understanding lifted the mutual blockades.
Since that agreement, Iran has moved over 40 million barrels of oil. Ghalibaf emphasized that Tehran prioritizes diplomacy. But he also warned the country is fully prepared for war if the current dialogue breaks down, according to Al Arabiya. This export freeze marked the lowest volume from the Iranian energy sector in more than a decade.
Diplomatic efforts are currently accelerating. US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are arriving in Doha, Qatar. They will hold indirect talks with an Iranian technical delegation to negotiate the enforcement of the ceasefire and the release of frozen assets. The rapid export surge of 40 million barrels demonstrates the sheer scale of the disruption. Both sides continue to navigate the fragile truce.