Trump Administration Considers Inspections of Iranian Oil Tankers to Disrupt Exports

The proposed plan aims to delay Iranian oil shipments through international waterways under a WMD security agreement, targeting Tehran's key revenue source.

• The Trump administration is exploring a plan to halt and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea under the Proliferation Security Initiative, an international accord to combat WMD trafficking.
• The initiative could involve U.S. allies intercepting vessels in critical shipping lanes like the Malacca Strait, potentially delaying crude deliveries and destabilizing Iran's smuggling networks.
• Iran's oil revenue, primarily tied to exports to China, is a major source of funding for its nuclear activities and alleged support for terrorism, according to U.S. officials.
• The proposal is part of Trump's renewed 'maximum pressure' campaign, which includes fresh sanctions on companies and tankers facilitating Iranian oil trade.
• Past attempts to disrupt Iranian oil exports have led to retaliatory actions by Tehran, including the seizure of foreign ships, raising concerns about potential escalation.

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