Iran’s tanker deception using Iraqi flags uncovered by AI, exposing hidden oil flows
An oil tanker (Photo: Getty Images)
Iran is running a massive $800 million oil smuggling scheme to circumvent international sanctions. Tankers are disguising themselves as Iraqi vessels to slip unnoticed through the naval blockade, according to a Fox News report.
Tehran has developed a sophisticated maritime spoofing system: US-sanctioned tankers falsify their location data. They transmit signals as if they are anchored off the coast of Iraq. In reality, these vessels are secretly loading at Iranian ports, according to a comment given to the TV channel by Windward AI, a company specializing in maritime artificial intelligence.
Intelligence has identified four giant VLCC tankers:
- Alicia (IMO 9281695);
- RHN (IMO 9208215);
- Star Forest (IMO 9237632);
- Aqua (IMO 9248473).
These vessels are using fraudulent registries of countries such as Curaçao and Malawi.
"For the four VLCCs, each VLCC can hold about 2 million barrels, so four of them would hold 8 million barrels worth about $800 million at $100 per barrel," commented Windward AI.
Where exactly are Iran's tankers hiding?
Analysts have spotted an entire cluster of violating vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz. A group of 10 tankers is creating a false past for themselves. The ships send destination messages indicating Iraqi ports, but their actual course is toward Iran.
"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," the experts added.
Trump's naval blockade
US President Donald Trump has confirmed his intention to increase pressure on Tehran. He stated on April 29 that he will keep Iran under a naval blockade. The restrictions will remain until Tehran agrees to a new nuclear deal.
Washington demands a complete halt to the uranium enrichment program. Iran calls this its sovereign right. The Iranian side has proposed opening the strait in exchange for access to its ports. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the deal is not bad, but Iran wants to postpone the nuclear program issue for later in return, which is unacceptable to the US.
