Two Iranian Supertankers Enter Indonesian Waters, Evading US Naval Blockade

Reports from the ship-tracking agency TankerTrackers.com and Al Jazeera on Monday, May 4, 2026, confirmed that Tehran continues to navigate its oil exports through high-pressure maritime zones.

According to the tracking data, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) named ‘Derya’ is currently traversing Indonesian waters and heading toward the Riau Islands. Earlier in mid-April, this vessel attempted to enter Indian waters with approximately 1.88 million barrels of crude oil but was unsuccessful. While the US Navy managed to intercept and turn back several other Iranian tankers in that region, the ‘Derya’ reportedly utilized tactical maneuvers to head south, effectively evading detection until reaching Indonesian territory.

This development comes just a day after another Iranian supertanker, the ‘Huge’, was spotted on the same route carrying an estimated 1.9 million barrels of oil. Data from TankerTrackers.com indicates that a total of 25 oil-laden vessels departed from Iran in April. Out of these, seven were forced to return to Iran by the US Navy and two were seized. However, the fact that the remaining vessels have either reached their destinations or remain in transit is being viewed as a significant signal that Iran is maintaining its oil supply to the global market despite intense international pressure.