But using the same strategy the White House directed at Venezuela is seen as likely to spark retaliation by Tehran and a surge in oil prices.

MOSCOW, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Russian oil tankers are increasingly listing Singapore as their official destination, signalling a shift in export flows from India to China and growing concerns over Western sanctions,

China route have surged to their highest level since November as tight vessel supply and lingering U.S.-Iran tensions keep freight markets under pressure.

Iranian state television says the Revolutionary Guard's navy has seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf Thursday, claiming the tankers had been smuggling fuel

Iranian gunboats unsuccessfully attempted to intercept a US oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday before a US Navy vessel intervened, reports say.