Vietnam Urges U.S. Navy to Allow Oil Tanker Through Gulf Blockade

Vietnam’s state oil company has appealed to the U.S. Navy to allow a crude oil tanker carrying Iraqi oil to pass through a naval blockade in the Middle East Gulf, according to documents and reports released on Tuesday.

The request was made by Petrovietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL), the trading arm of Vietnam’s state oil company, after a tanker transporting nearly two million barrels of Iraqi crude reportedly changed course following an encounter with U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman.

According to ship-tracking data cited in multiple reports, the Maltese-flagged tanker, Agio Fanourios I, had sailed through the Strait of Hormuz before reversing direction on May 11 after being intercepted during enforcement operations linked to the U.S.-led blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping.

In a letter addressed to U.S. authorities, PVOIL warned that delays in the shipment could severely affect Vietnam’s Nghi Son Refinery, one of the country’s largest refineries, which depends heavily on imported crude supplies. The company reportedly described the cargo as “extremely important” for maintaining refinery operations and avoiding disruptions to fuel supply in Vietnam.

The United States has expanded naval enforcement operations in the Gulf as part of ongoing tensions surrounding Iran and shipping activities in the region. While U.S. officials have stated that non-Iranian oil exports are still permitted to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, several tankers have reportedly been redirected or delayed amid intensified inspections and security measures.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, with a significant portion of global crude exports passing through the narrow waterway each day. Rising military tensions in the region have already contributed to disruptions in global energy markets and concerns over oil supply security.

As of Tuesday, there was no official confirmation from the U.S. Navy on whether the tanker would be granted passage to continue its journey to Vietnam.