Trump Rejects Iran Peace Deal as Tankers Use Dark Shipping

Between May 1 and May 11, 2026, commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz adopted "dark shipping" tactics to avoid Iranian attacks and a U.S. naval blockade. Several very large crude carriers, including the Basrah Energy and Kiara M, disabled their tracking transponders to move stranded crude oil. The Basrah Energy offloaded two million barrels of Upper Zakum crude at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminals on May 8, while the Kiara M and Agios Fanourios I exited the strait on May 10.

On May 11, the LPG tanker Tara Gas transited the strait using a Tehran-approved route. To secure safe passage, the vessel broadcast Indian crew and ownership affiliations. This occurred as the United States Central Command reported that American forces had redirected 61 ships and disabled four since implementing a blockade on Iranian shipping in mid-April.

Amidst these maritime tensions, Donald Trump rejected a peace proposal from Iran that demanded the lifting of oil sanctions and an end to the U.S. naval blockade. The rejection contributed to a rise in global oil prices. While the Government of India, Thailand, and Malaysia negotiated with Tehran to secure cargo releases, Iranian leadership maintained a firm stance on defending national interests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the regional conflict remains unresolved until Iranian nuclear capabilities are dismantled.