Iran readies ‘dark fleet’ to evade renewed US naval blockade

On July 15 the United States re‑imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Hours before the ban took effect, Iranian‑linked vessels began positioning themselves in the Persian Gulf to skirt the restriction. Maritime‑intelligence firms identified 23 ships operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz that displayed behavior typical of “dark vessels,” disabling or falsifying AIS transponders to avoid detection.

According to Windward Intelligence, ten of the vessels were carrying cargo while the remaining thirteen were sailing empty, ready to load crude if an opportunity arose. One tracked tanker loaded oil at Iran’s Kharg Island, then routed through Iraq’s Basrah terminal before heading toward China, a pattern described as a way to mask the oil’s origin. Seven very large crude carriers are now anchored in the Indian Ocean, laden with Iranian crude and awaiting buyers. Analysts note that about half of Iran’s state revenue comes from oil exports, and the shadow fleet helps sustain shipments despite sanctions, contributing to soaring inflation within the country.

The shadow‑fleet tactics involve shell companies, flag changes, ship‑to‑ship transfers and satellite monitoring to disguise cargo. China remains the principal buyer of Iran’s oil, taking roughly 80% of shipments, while the United States seeks to curtail revenue that funds Tehran’s activities.