Return of Iranian Tankers to Export Terminal in the Persian Gulf; Tehran Likely Believes the Threat of Israeli Attack Has Decreased

The website 'Middle East Eye' reported, citing data from 'Tanker Trackers', that Iranian tankers have returned to the main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, concluding that the Iranian government likely perceives a reduced threat of Israeli attacks on its oil facilities. The website noted on October 9 that Iranian tankers were unloaded last week, and currently, two supertankers belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company are loading about 5 million barrels of Iranian crude oil on Kharg Island. 'Middle East Eye' quoted Ali Alfoneh, a senior expert at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, stating, 'This event indicates that Iranian officials are likely confident that their oil facilities will not be targeted by Israeli attacks.' According to 'Middle East Eye', Samir Madani, the executive director of the Tanker Trackers website, announced that the National Iranian Tanker Company's decision to return tankers to Kharg Island indicates that Iran is in a 'risk reduction' status. Meanwhile, the Iranian Minister of Oil, who was present on Kharg Island on Sunday, stated, 'We are not afraid of our enemies trying to create a crisis, and this trip is just a normal work visit.' The report indicated that the Islamic Republic is trying to leverage pressure from Arab countries to limit Israel. Tehran warned in April that it would block the Strait of Hormuz if it felt threatened; a strait through which 20% of the world's oil passes daily. Iran has experience with such operations from the 1980s during the tanker war when it mined the waterway. While the Islamic Republic's allies in the 'Resistance Axis' are under severe pressure from Israel, the Houthis in Yemen continue their attacks in the Red Sea and have the capability to strike oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2019, the Islamic Republic was blamed for the attack on Saudi Aramco's oil facilities carried out by the Houthis. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, stated in a press conference on Friday, October 5, that the Israelis have not yet decided on their response to the Iranian missile attack, and this matter is under review. He added, 'If I were in Israel's position, I would consider options other than attacking Iranian oil facilities.' Following the missile attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Israel on Tuesday, October 1, Israeli officials have stated that they will not leave this attack unanswered. The Iranian government launched 180 ballistic missiles towards Israel, of which, according to Israeli officials, 90% were destroyed before hitting Israeli territory, and the remaining 10% caused no significant damage or casualties. On the night of April 14 this year, the Iranian government also fired over 320 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones towards Israel, the majority of which were intercepted by a coalition of Israel, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Jordan before reaching Israeli territory. Claims from Channel 12 Israel: The U.S. and several Arab countries have begun secret negotiations with the Islamic Republic to achieve a ceasefire. Reuters: The Islamic Republic has warned Arab countries in the region that assistance in the Israeli attack will not go unanswered. The U.S.: Hezbollah's acceptance of a ceasefire is due to the weakening of this group. The U.S. supported Israel's approach in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu: Hashim Safi al-Din and his successor have been killed. Norway raised its security alert level due to the potential for terrorist attacks. The UK: We are facing an increasing threat from ISIS, Iran, and Russia.