JUST IN: Iran Allows Japanese Tanker to Cross Strait of Hormuz

Reflecto News | Breaking News | Middle East & Global Energy

TEHRAN — In a significant development amid the ongoing Iran-U.S. war, Iranian authorities have granted permission for a Japanese-owned supertanker to transit the strategic Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage of a Japan-linked oil vessel through the waterway since the conflict began on February 28, 2026 .

The vessel, identified as the Idemitsu Maru, is a Panama-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) managed by a subsidiary of Japanese refiner Idemitsu Kosan . It is transporting approximately two million barrels of crude oil loaded from Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal in early March .

🚢 Passage Details

The tanker began its journey late Monday after having remained stationary off Abu Dhabi for over a week . Ship-tracking data shows the vessel briefly altered course near Iran’s Qeshm and Larak Islands before continuing eastward past Larak, successfully exiting the Persian Gulf on Tuesday morning .

The passage was conducted with coordination from Iranian authorities, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) .

📊 Strategic Significance

Japan typically sources approximately 95 percent of its oil imports from the Middle East, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz . Since the war began, however, traffic has fallen sharply as Iran has implemented tight restrictions and now requires all ships to obtain approval for transit .

The vessel was one of four civilian ships tracked leaving the Persian Gulf through the strait on Tuesday without Iranian interference. The other three include a Chinese-owned tanker, a container ship with links to Iran through its management company, and a Turkish cargo ship that had been stuck in Iraqi ports since the start of the war .

🔒 Iran’s Control of the Waterway

Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, the Islamic Republic has effectively blockaded the vital conduit for oil and gas shipments . Iranian officials have stated that passage will be regulated along designated routes and will require authorization from Tehran .

On April 13, the U.S. Central Command began implementing “a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” a move Iran has denounced as “an illegal act” that “amounts to piracy” .

Iran’s permission for the Japanese tanker to cross aligns with a pattern of Tehran granting exemptions to countries it considers friendly or neutral, while maintaining overall control of the strategic waterway .

💰 Potential Payment for Safe Passage

It remains unclear whether the tanker’s Japanese owner paid Iran for safe passage. Analysts have previously described Iran’s Larak Island as a “toll booth” where Iranian authorities may impose transit costs . Tasnim News Agency confirmed the passage was conducted with Iran’s coordination but did not disclose the terms .

🌍 Diplomatic Context

The breakthrough comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff remain stalled. Iran recently proposed a phased plan to end the war: lifting the U.S. blockade and reopening the strait to all traffic as initial steps, followed by a permanent ceasefire, with nuclear negotiations postponed to a later stage .

That proposal was reportedly discussed within President Donald Trump’s administration but remains on hold. Pakistan, which brokered the April 8 ceasefire, continues to mediate between Washington and Tehran .

Meanwhile, oil prices remain elevated. The price of international benchmark Brent Crude topped $111 per barrel early Tuesday, extending Monday’s gains . The successful transit of the Idemitsu Maru may signal a potential easing of the energy crisis, though analysts caution that Iran’s overall blockade remains largely in effect.

📋 Key Takeaways

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Updated: April 28, 2026