US-Iran War Updates: Iran is moving tens of millions of barrels of oil through covert offshore networks to bypass the new U.S. blockade on its ports, maritime intelligence firm Windward AI says. The blockade, which took effect April 13, came amid a two-week ceasefire and failed peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, and as President Donald Trump insisted the waterway must remain open.
“As of April 13, at least 11 tankers carrying approximately 20 million barrels of Iranian oil are positioned offshore Malaysia within a ship-to-ship transfer hub,” Windward told Fox News Digital. “These vessels are likely awaiting counterpart vessels for offloading or preparing for onward movement.”
US-Iran War Updates: How Is Iran Evading the Blockade?
Windward clarified that the concentration highlights Iran’s “continued use of offshore storage and transfer mechanisms.” This allows Iranian oil flows to “persist outside direct transit through the Strait.” “Dark activity remains a central enabler of ongoing operations, supporting both post-transit port calls and broader evasion strategies,” the firm added.
“Iranian oil flows are increasingly routed through offshore hubs, reducing reliance on direct Hormuz transit.” The firm noted that sanctioned and falsely flagged vessels remain active, with some proceeding through the Strait while others delay, reverse course, or adjust routing patterns.
JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran moves 20 million barrels of oil through offshore network to bypass the US port blockade. pic.twitter.com/FR6pMxCGRK
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US-Iran War Updates: What Has the US Military Accomplished?
U.S. forces began implementing the blockade at 10 a.m. ET April 13 after Trump vowed to block “any and all ships from trying to enter or leave” the strait. U.S. Central Command confirmed Wednesday it stopped nine oil tankers from attempting to breach the blockade.
“During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces,” CENTCOM said. “Additionally, nine vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area.” Fox News was told all nine vessels were oil tankers. None needed to be boarded by U.S. forces, a senior U.S. defense official said.
US-Iran War Updates: What Is the Response to the Blockade?
On the first “full day” of the blockade, April 14, under active U.S. enforcement, Windward noted vessel behavior indicating “a fragmented and uneven response to the blockade.” “Initial movements show a combination of continued transit, route deviation, and potential evasion,” the firm said.
CENTCOM said the blockade would apply only to maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. It stressed that U.S. forces would not “impede freedom of navigation” for vessels transiting the strait to and from other destinations. The blockade on the key trade route would be enforced “impartially” against any vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, including those in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
US-Iran War Updates: What Specific Vessels Are Being Watched?
So far, sanctioned and falsely flagged vessels continue to operate under evolving enforcement conditions. Rich Starry, a U.S.-sanctioned handy-size tanker signaling laden status, resumed outbound transit after previously turning around. Windward said its routing did not follow the Larak Island corridor and instead aligned with the alternative outbound path proposed by Iran.
At the same time, Murlikishan, a U.S.-sanctioned chemical tanker, was also observed journeying inbound, Windward clarified.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade came after weekend peace talks between the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal. A two-week ceasefire remains in place but is set to expire soon.
The U.S. has warned it could impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil, including Chinese banks. China previously bought more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil.
FAQs: US-Iran War Updates
Q: How much oil is Iran moving through offshore networks?
A: Approximately 20 million barrels, carried by at least 11 tankers positioned off Malaysia.
Q: What is ship-to-ship transfer?
A: A method where oil is transferred from one vessel to another at sea, often used to disguise the origin of the oil.
Q: How many tankers has the US turned back?
A: Nine oil tankers complied with U.S. forces and turned around in the first 48 hours.
Q: Has any vessel made it past the blockade?
A: CENTCOM said no vessels have made it past U.S. forces during the first 48 hours.
Q: What is ‘dark activity’?
A: When vessels disable their tracking transponders to avoid detection, a key enabler of evasion strategies.
Q: Does the blockade apply to all ships in the Strait?
A: No. It applies only to ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. Freedom of navigation is maintained for other destinations.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
