Iran speeds up oil loading at Kharg Island as US builds military presence
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Iran has accelerated oil loading at its key export terminal on Kharg Island amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East, according to shipping and satellite data.
Exports from Kharg Island between February 15th and 20th totaled nearly 20.1 million barrels, data from Kpler show. That is almost three times the volume loaded during the same period in January and equates to more than 3 million barrels a day, well above Tehran’s usual daily export rate.
The surge comes as the US amasses what is described as its largest fighting force in the region since the 2003 second Gulf War. Similar loading patterns were observed last year before American air strikes and again in 2024 during heightened tensions, when Iran moved large volumes of oil onto tankers and toward Kharg Island.
Oil production and exports are central to Iran’s economy. Accelerated loading would allow Tehran to maximize shipments before any potential disruption. Most barrels exported from Kharg Island must pass through the Strait of Hormuz, often on tankers seeking to avoid detection.
Satellite imagery analysed by Bloomberg shows that between February 15th and 20th, the number of tankers southeast of Kharg Island rose from eight to 18. A partial image from February 22nd showed nine tankers still in the area. At the same time, crude inventories on the island appeared to decline. At least seven storage tanks were full on February 15th, while six appeared emptier by February 20th.
Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, said Iran has been loading as much oil as possible and that tankers would likely disperse if air strikes occur. He estimates exports will average 1.5 to 1.6 million barrels a day this month, boosted by stronger shipments since February 15th.
