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Under the cover of darkened waters, tankers masquerading as Iraqi ships are clandestinely transporting vast quantities of Iranian crude oil—a move that defies U.S. sanctions and highlights the ongoing geopolitical struggle between Washington and Tehran. This stealthy operation comes as former President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to choke off Iran’s vital oil revenues through a stringent port blockade.
According to maritime intelligence from Windward AI, a network of tankers under U.S. sanctions are manipulating their navigational data. These ships appear to be stationary in Iraqi waters but are, in fact, secretly loading oil from Iranian ports. This deceptive practice aims to bypass the economic restrictions imposed by the U.S.
Windward AI disclosed to Fox News Digital that among these elusive vessels are four very large crude carriers (VLCCs): Alicia (IMO 9281695), RHN (IMO 9208215), Star Forest (9237632), and Aqua (IMO 9248473). These tankers are operating under various flags, some of which are fraudulent, including those from Curacao and Malawi. This subterfuge allows them to continue their operations under the radar.
Each of these mammoth carriers is capable of holding approximately 2 million barrels of oil. Combined, the four VLCCs are transporting around 8 million barrels, with an estimated market value of $800 million, assuming a price of $100 per barrel. This operation not only challenges U.S. sanctions but also underscores the intricate measures employed to sustain Iran’s oil exports.
As the sun sets over the Persian Gulf, a cargo ship glides through the waters towards the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a silent witness to the ongoing maritime maneuvering. (AP Photo)
This came as Trump said Wednesday he will keep Iran under a naval blockade until it agrees to a deal addressing U.S. concerns about its nuclear program.
The U.S. administration has demanded that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment program, while Tehran maintains that enrichment is a sovereign right and nonnegotiable, leaving little room for compromise.
Windward AI noted a “cluster” of sanctioned tankers spoofing locations and seen to the West of the Strait of Hormuz.
“A cluster of 10 Iran-trading, U.S.-sanctioned tankers is now spoofing its AIS location to falsely appear at anchorages off Basrah, Iraq, as the blockade continues to constrict Iranian ports,” Windward explained.
“The vessels identified by Windward Multi-Source Intelligence are manipulating their signals to create a digital alibi,” the intelligence firm claimed.
“By broadcasting fake destination messages to Iraqi ports, the tankers appear to be in Iraqi waters while covertly sailing to Iran to load sanctioned oil.
“Once loaded, the vessels re-emerge on AIS to suggest a legitimate Iraqi origin for the cargo.”
The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports began April 13 as part of a broader effort to pressure Iran into renegotiating limits on its nuclear program.
The blockade has unfolded in stages, starting with naval deployments and restricted maritime enforcement to limit Iran’s oil exports and economic activity.
Windward said more than two dozen tankers are confined west of Hormuz as of Wednesday, with the blockade cutting Iranian oil loadings and exports by more than half.
“This deceptive practice is under intensified scrutiny as the vessels are part of a larger group of more than two dozen tankers currently confined west of Hormuz,” the firm said.
“The handysize tanker Paola and Long Range One tanker Adena, both signaling ‘Iraqi owner’ but linked to a sanctioned network.”
President Donald Trump weighs a potential attack on Iran’s oil hub at Kharg Island amid expert predictions of market chaos. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)
The firm claimed three medium-range tankers, including Aqualis, Kush and Charminar, and the LPG carrier Royal H (IMO 9155341), which was newly sanctioned in February, are displaying “erratic voyage trails to suggest a loading at the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair.”
“The tell-tale spoofing signs, including erratic patterns and fake port signals, highlight the shifting tactics used by the dark fleet as the blockade more than halves Iranian oil loadings and exports,” the firm said.
Meanwhile. Iran’s Mohammad Ghalibaf slammed U.S. policymakers Wednesday, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, over the impact of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
The parliamentary speaker cited “junk advice” and blamed the Treasury for pushing up oil prices.
“Three days in, no well exploded,” Ghalibaf said in a post shared on X.