Iranian ‘Ghost Ships’ Successfully Evade US Naval Blockade, Trump’s Strategy Under Scrutiny

Donald Trump’s efforts to enforce a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz are facing challenges as numerous Iranian ships have managed to evade US monitoring. This development comes amid Iran’s increased control over this crucial oil route, marked by their attacks on three tankers.

Reports from the Financial Times reveal that around 34 Iranian oil tankers have successfully navigated past the blockade. Of these, 19 vessels have left the Persian Gulf, bypassing the US naval presence, while 15 have entered the region from the Arabian Sea heading towards Iran.

Among the tankers, six have been identified as carrying smuggled Iranian crude oil. This cargo amounts to 10.7 million barrels, generating an estimated $910 million in revenue for Iran.

This situation follows Iran’s recent seizure of two cargo ships in the strait on Wednesday morning after targeting these vessels and a third one. Iran claims that these ships did not adhere to the regime’s directives.

On Tuesday, Trump declared an extension of the ceasefire but maintained the naval blockade of Iranian ports. This strategy aims to pressure the Islamic Republic into reopening the essential maritime passage.

As reports of Iranian gunfire on three container ships emerged, oil prices rose with Brent crude futures up to $99.21 a barrel. Gas prices in the US have skyrocketed to above $4 a gallon as polling suggests the public is turning against Trump’s war.

The President, behind closed doors, is reluctant to resume a bombing campaign on Iran and is hopeful economic pressure will be enough to bring Tehran back to the table, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Senior officials say Trump seemed wary about prolonging the conflict because of how deeply unpopular it is with the American public.  

Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is unraveling after dozens of Iranian vessels secretly slipped past US surveillance, even as the regime tightened its grip on the critical oil passageway by attacking three tankers

Iran seized two cargo ships on Wednesday morning after attacking them as well as a third in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the vessels of being ‘non-compliant’ with the regime’s demands

Approximately 34 Iranian oil tankers have slipped through the blockade, with 19 vessels exiting the Persian Gulf past Trump’s navy and another 15 ships entering from the Arabian Sea toward Iran

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.

Iran’s latest attack on oil tankers trying to move through the strait comes in response to Trump’s seizure of a Tehran-linked vessel earlier this week.

Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy fired on, disabled, and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman. 

The President claimed the ship ignored several warnings while attempting to breach the naval blockade. After disabling its engine, US Marines took control of the vessel. 

Trump later bragged about the cargo seized by the US aboard the ship, calling it a ‘gift from China.’

China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, has been permitted by Tehran to continue transiting vessels through the strait since the start of the war, alongside select tankers bound for Pakistan and India.

The regime vowed to retaliate against the attack and claimed it still maintained control of the Strait despite the blockade. 

Top Iranian officials compared Trump’s action to ‘armed piracy’ and vowed to ignore US requests for ceasefire discussions. 

Top Iranian officials compared Trump’s action to ‘armed piracy’ and vowed to ignore US requests for ceasefire discussions

Trump later bragged about the cargo seized by the US aboard the ship, calling it a ‘gift from China’

The regime’s semi-official news agency Tasnim said the two seized vessels were ‘non-compliant’, adding that the ships had ‘endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits’.

Both ships were earlier struck by the IRGC in a clear escalation of hostilities, as the Islamic regime continues to claim ownership over the international oil passage.

‘The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,’ the Guards said in a statement.

‘The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.’

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic Republic in the Strait as well as activities contrary to the safe passage’ through the waterway.