Iran War Shipping Update—March 26, 2026

Since the onset of Operation Epic Fury, UANI has monitored a significant volume of Iranian oil at sea. Illicit Iranian oil sales are a major source of funding for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is currently conducting military and terrorist operations targeting the U.S., Israel, Arab states in the Persian Gulf, and international shipping. In the weeks leading up to the conflict, Tehran sharply increased crude loadings and offshore stockpiling to cushion the impact of war on its oil trade. Amid ongoing hostilities, the Iranian regime’s Ghost Fleet continues to operate actively — loading cargo, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and heading east toward its primary buyer, China. UANI’s regular shipping update will continue to monitor and report on the illicit maritime movements of the Iranian regime’s ghost fleet throughout the conflict.

To read UANI’s advisory urging oil purchasing countries to ensure strict domestic ringfencing of money used in purchase of Iranian oil, click here.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the ongoing Iran war, as the Iranian regime intensifies efforts to disrupt maritime traffic. Since the start of the conflict, at least 21 commercial vessels have been hit. The escalating risk has created severe congestion and instability across the Persian Gulf’s shipping lanes. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, about 138 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz daily.  Since March 1, 2026, marine traffic data shows growing clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, with many refraining from transiting due to safety concerns. On March 26, just one vessel was reported to openly, with their AIS on, transit the Strait of Hormuz.  

The U.S. has extended its deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by five days, delaying any immediate strikes on energy infrastructure. The five-day reprieve should end on March 28.  The move temporarily reduces the risk of escalation, but it also leaves the status of the waterway and regional shipping security unresolved.

Numerous OFAC-sanctioned and UANI-listed tankers — alongside some non-sanctioned, ostensibly legitimate vessels — have transited the Strait of Hormuz laden with Iranian oil, intermittently switching off their AIS signals. These tankers briefly loiter off Qeshm Island before continuing through the strait, where they appear to receive tacit clearance from the Iranian regime following security checks and, in some cases, reportedly substantial payments. 

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf 

UANI has identified at least 31 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude — currently operating inside the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz.

Map of Iranian oil laden tankers in the Persian Gulf on March 26

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 21 Iranian oil loadings, 15 of which originated from Kharg Island. These shipments represent approximately 30 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $2 billion for the IRGC, which continues to fund Iran’s active missile and drone programs central to the conflict. This figure is notably higher than usual given the sharp increase in oil prices, including Iranian crude.

Iran-oil Laden Tankers That Have Left the Persian Gulf 

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has observed at least fourteen ghost fleet tankers that have left the Persian Gulf — some broadcasting their AIS signals and others operating clandestinely. The true number is likely significantly higher, as many vessels have switched off their AIS signals to avoid detection. These tankers are enroute to Malaysia to conduct ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with other ghost fleet vessels bound for China.

After loading Iranian LPG at Assaluyeh, Iran, the LPG tanker SALUTE (IMO 8912546) transited the Strait of Hormuz, with its AIS on, on March 26. SALUTE is OFAC-sanctioned and listed on UANI’s Ghost Armada for its involvement in Iran’s oil trade. 

Map of LPG tanker SALUTE passing the Strait of Hormuz on March 26 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iranian-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began, at least 14 Iranian-flagged tankers have reached Southeast Asian waters bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia.

Meanwhile, at least 18 Iran-flagged tankers have begun returning reporting empty to Iran from the Malaysian EOPL anchorage and Southeast Asian sea lanes, since the start of the conflict. On March 26, DIONA (IMO 9569695) and DOWNY (IMO 9218480) transited the Singapore and Malacca Straits, switching their AIS signal on after leaving the EOPL anchorage off Johor, Malaysia, and reporting empty.

Map of two tankers passing the Singapore and Malacca Straits on March 26 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has recorded 77 Iranian oil laden tankers in the East Outer Port Limits (EOPL) area, a ghost fleet hotspot approximately 70 km off Malaysia’s coast.  All of these have been spotted in satellite imagery, despite not broadcasting on AIS. 

On March 25, 28 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering in the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. On this day, four STS transfers of Iranian crude took place in this anchorage. Despite the ongoing conflict, it is business as usual for the Iranian oil trade to China, where ghost fleet tankers continue to operate with impunity across Southeast Asia's sea lanes.

  Satellite imagery of four STS transfers in the EOPL anchorage on March 25 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships off the Malaysian Coast

UANI has also monitored Iranian-flagged cargo vessels operating globally. On March 26, the OFAC sanctioned Iranian-flagged general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) anchored outside Port Klang, Malaysia. It had previously departed the Port Klang Container Terminal on March 23, then sailed via the Singapore Strait to the Malaysian EOPL on March 24, where it was observed in satellite imagery, before returning to Port Klang. It is not known what operations the vessel conducted at the EOPL, and this is unusual behavior for a container ship.

Map of Iranian-flagged General Cargo ship AREZOO in the Singapore and Malacca Straits from March 23 to 26 (Credit: Marine Traffic) and satellite imagery of AREZOO in the EOPL on March 24 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

On March 24, Iranian-flagged bulk carrier PARISAN (IMO 9465851), also sanctioned by OFAC, is in port at Kuantan, Malaysia. It departed from Bandar Imam Khomeini (BIK) with a possible cargo of fertilizer, on March 2 and arrived in Kuantan on March 24.

Satellite imagery of PARISAN in Port Kuantan, Malaysia (Credit: ESA Copernicus)