Iran's Maritime Activities Exposed Amid Ongoing Blockade
Iran's maritime activities have been under scrutiny since President Trump announced an 'Economic D-Day' operation against the country on August 19. The United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) team chartered a supply vessel and traveled to the Malaysian Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage, where they exposed the illicit activities of the Ghost Fleet.
The U.S. forces have reimposed the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas since July 14. As of September 30, U.S. forces have redirected 125 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled three that didn't comply, and boarded two to ensure total compliance.
The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, with 90 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels reported since the start of the Iran War. The UANI team has tracked at least 38 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings since the blockade was reinstated on July 14, with eight of these originating from Kharg Island, Iran.
A total of 997 vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz since June 18, according to JMIC. However, an increasing number of vessels are now transiting the southern corridor without broadcasting AIS location data, facilitated by U.S. forces.