Over 100 Empty Oil Tankers Head To The U.S. To Fill Up As The U.S. Launches Naval Blockade Of The Strait Of Hormuz

The United States oil industry is about to see a boom.

On Monday, shortly after President Trump launched a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, over 100 oil tankers began voyages to the United States to fill up.

Many oil tankers bound for the United States can hold over 2 million barrels of oil.

Fox News reports more on the tankers making their way to the U.S. and on the blockade operation:

More than 100 empty oil tankers are making their way to the U.S. to fill up as the war in Iran forces the industry to find new sources of oil.

Data from TankerTrackers and MarineTraffic shows that 121 oil tankers are en-route the U.S. Gulf Coast. Of those vessels, 68 are massive VLCC class tankers, capable of transporting 2 million barrels of oil each.

U.S. Central Command warned that the U.S. blockade against Iran applies to all vessels regardless of flag on Monday.

“Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture,” the note said.

“The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations,” the statement continued.

The blockade includes “the entirety of the Iranian coastline,” the note said, adding that “humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies, and other essential goods would be permitted, subject to inspection.”

Watch here:

🚨 MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT: At least 121 EMPTY OIL TANKERS are making their way to the United States of America right now

68 of them can carry 2 MILLION BARRELS EACH.

Holy smokes! We are the world's gas station now! 🇺🇸

TRUMP: "China can send their ships to the U.S., China can send… pic.twitter.com/g8PKTu1xDh

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 13, 2026

CNN reported that President Trump has issued a threat to Iran if they attempt to interfere with the naval blockade:

President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Tehran this morning, saying the US will sink any Iranian ships that come near the US military blockade of Iran’s ports, which started at 10 a.m. ET.

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Iran’s acting defense minister said Monday the country’s armed forces are on “maximum combat alert” and are prepared for “any scenario,” warning that any aggression against Tehran would draw a “harsh and decisive response,” according to remarks broadcast on Iran’s state-run television.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over how the latest move by the US will affect the global economy.

"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea." – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Gj9nFCfG8T

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 13, 2026