Trump Administration Considers Stopping Iranian Oil Tankers to Thwart Weapons Trafficking

The Trump Administration is considering a bold move to halt Iranian oil tankers at sea for inspection under an international treaty designed to combat the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. This plan is part of the U.S.'s broader "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, aiming to prevent the regime from obtaining nuclear weapons and counter its malign activities abroad.

Sources familiar with the discussions have revealed to Reuters that the U.S. is exploring whether U.S. allies could intercept Iranian oil tankers in vital chokepoints, such as the Malacca Strait, as part of the 2003 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The idea is to delay Iranian oil exports, a critical revenue source for the Iranian government, by slowing the shipments, particularly to its largest customer, China, which purchases about 90% of Iran's oil.

The PSI would not require sinking ships or arresting individuals but would focus on creating a "chilling effect" to deter the trade. John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor and lead negotiator for the PSI, has endorsed this strategy, arguing that it is fully justified given Iran’s use of oil revenues to fund both proliferation activities and terrorist organizations.

Despite the U.S. sanctions imposed in 2018, Iran’s oil exports remain resilient, with over 1 million barrels per day still leaving the country, primarily through a shadow fleet and opaque networks. This continued flow of oil to China presents a significant challenge in curbing Iran’s financial support for its destabilizing actions.

The Trump Administration's push to target Iran’s oil exports is aimed at crippling the country’s ability to fund its nuclear ambitions and other hostile activities. By leveraging international treaties like the PSI, the U.S. seeks to create economic pressure on Iran while minimizing direct military confrontation.