Iran War Shipping Update - May 1, 2026

During the Iran War, the Iranian regime’s Ghost Fleet has continued to operate actively — loading cargo, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and heading east toward its primary buyer, China. The U.S. blockade may now be constraining those exports, as UANI’s shipping updates continue to track the ghost fleet’s illicit maritime movements throughout the conflict.

The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports targets vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports, as well as vessels carrying contraband and sanctionable oil cargoes. However, the scope of the blockade is not intended to cover all Iran-linked ships. While some of vessels passing the blockade may be transporting Iranian-origin cargoes, the majority are likely not. UANI has observed vessels departing the Persian Gulf carrying oil products from other countries—in some cases, the origin of their cargoes remains unknown. U.S. forces prioritize high-value VLCC tankers over smaller Handymax oil and LPG carriers due to risk-reward calculus. True effectiveness of the blockade lies in disrupting regime oil revenue to China, raising sanctions evasion costs, deterring large shipments, and pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept American demands for a negotiated settlement. 

To read UANI’s full statement on the FAQs and keys facts about the U.S. blockade, click here.

U.S. Blockade 

On April 7, President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Pakistan mediated ceasefire talks, which President Trump stated was contingent on the “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively ending its wartime closure. However, on April 12, after ceasefire talks with Iran ended without an agreement, President Trump announced that the U.S. would initiate a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas effective April 13. U.S. Central Command posted that U.S. forces are “executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports” on April 14. By blockading vessels calling on Iranian ports, including tankers carrying Iranian oil, the administration aims to cut off the Iranian regime’s major source of revenue. The blockade, now implemented, represents a significant escalation in U.S. enforcement strategy, with implications for global energy markets, regional stability, and the future calibration of U.S. sanctions policy. 

President Donald Trump announced on April 21 that he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire until Iran responds to U.S. negotiating positions or until talks reach a dead end. On April 29, he stated he would maintain the naval blockade on Iran until the regime agrees to a deal addressing U.S. concerns about its nuclear program.

On April 30, U.S. CENTCOM posted that U.S. forces have directed 44 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port since the commencement of the blockade. 

U.S Designations 

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses and their associated front companies, as well as a dark fleet tanker NEW FUSION (IMO 9277723) which had been listed on UANI’s Ghost Armada since April 2024.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the Iran War. Since the start of the conflict, 37 confirmed maritime incidents involving commercial vessels and offshore infrastructure have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

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.

Strait of Hormuz (SoH) transits from April 14 to April 29 (Credit: JMIC)

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf 

UANI has identified at least 33 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 May 1

Iran-linked Vessels at Chabahar Port, Iran

Iran-linked tankers are loitering and anchoring outside of the Persian Gulf at Chabahar Port, Iran. On April 28, 12 Iran-flagged tankers, laden with Iranian oil, were observed in satellite imagery near Chabahar Port. Numerous Iran-flagged and Iranian oil-laden tankers that have attempted to cross the blockade departed from Chabahar port, with eight of these twelve tankers returning to port in response to a variety of U.S. enforcement actions.

12 Iran flagged tankers, laden with Iranian crude, near Chabahar Port, Iran on May 1 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 59 Iranian oil loadings, 35 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. These shipments represent approximately 75 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $5 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 is reportedly expanding crude storage at Kharg Island by reactivating the 30-year-old VLCC NASHA (IMO 9079107), signalling that Iran’s main oil hub is nearing its onshore storage capacity. Previously anchored empty for years, the VLCC was repositioned as floating storage to manage excess crude unable to exit the system. On April 26, NASHA was observed loading Iranian crude from the Azarpad loading jetty on the west side of Kharg Island in satellite imagery, but May 1 imagery shows it is now anchored northeast of the island. 

Today, one VLCC tanker was observed loading Iranian crude off Kharg Island’s T-jetty in satellite imagery.

Tanker loading at Kharg Island on May 1 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Iran-oil Laden Tankers That Have Left the Persian Gulf

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has observed at least 51 ghost fleet tankers laden with Iranian oil that have left the Persian Gulf — some broadcasting their AIS signals and others operating clandestinely. These tankers are enroute to Malaysia to conduct ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with other ghost fleet vessels bound for China. 

After loitering near Jamnagar for about a week, FELICITY (IMO 9183934) and DERYA (IMO 9569700) departed the Gulf of Kutch, India. FELICITYleft on April 18, reporting empty, and then turned off its AIS signal. Satellite imagery confirms that FELICITY is heading back empty towards the Persian Gulf, with the tanker passing the U.S. blockade between April 20 and 21. Meanwhile, DERYA departed southward on April 19, still reporting laden with a deep draft of 20 meters, and then turned off its AIS. DERYA was later observed in satellite imagery travelling southbound along the Indian coastline on April 22. Reports suggested that this vessel was interdicted by U.S. naval forces, but this is yet to be confirmed. FELICITY has since been observed in satellite imagery loading Iranian crude from Kharg Island’s T-jetty on April 26 and then anchored east of the island on May 1. 

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began, at least 29 Iran-flagged tankers have reached Southeast Asian waters bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia.

Meanwhile, at least 34 Iran-flagged tankers have begun returning and reporting empty to Iran from the Malaysian EOPL anchorage and Southeast Asian sea lanes, since the start of the conflict.

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

From February 28, the start of the conflict, to today, UANI has recorded 120 tankers laden with Iranian oil in the EOPL anchorage, a ghost fleet hotspot approximately 70 km off Malaysia’s coast. All of these tankers have been spotted in satellite imagery.

On May 1, 22 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering in the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. At least three STS transfers were observed in satellite imagery today, demonstrating that ghost fleet tankers continue to operate with impunity across Southeast Asia's sea lanes. 

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships Globally

On May 1, four Iranian flagged cargo vessels were anchored about 75 km southwest of Karachi, Pakistan. ARIES (IMO 9369722),MAHNAM (IMO 9213387), DELRUBA (IMO 9305207) and WARTA (IMO 9465849) were openly broadcasting on AIS, while anchored. All four of these Iran flagged cargo vessels are OFAC sanctioned. The four Iran flagged tankers detected in Satellite imagery on April 30, SEVDA (IMO 9172040), STARK I (9171450), HERBY (9362059) and SEA STAR III (9569205), are not broadcasting on AIS, but are likely still anchored in the area.
 

Iran flagged bulk carriers near Karachi, Pakistan on May 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran flagged container ship ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) has continued drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 19, about 450 km west of Mumbai, India. ARTABAZ departed Mumbai on April 19, after unknown cargo operations.

Iran flagged container ships drifting in Arabian Sea on May 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran flagged container ship AZARGOUN (IMO 9283019) arrived at the anchorage just outside Port Klang, Malaysia on May 1. It departed Bandar Abbas on April 12, visited Kandala, India from April 15-16, and then Colombo, Sri Lanka from April 18-26, in both cases for unknown cargo operations. AZARGOUN is now anchored next to another Iran-flagged container ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) which has been anchored there since April 16. Both OFAC-sanctioned vessels continue to conduct port calls and cargo operations openly.

Iran flagged container ships near Port Klang, Malaysia on May 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ship BEHNAVAZ (IMO 9346548) departed Zhuhai Port on Gaolan Island, China, on May 1, heading to Taicang Port near Shanghai, China with an estimated arrival time of May 4. Meanwhile, BEHTA (IMO 9349590) and SHABDIS (IMO 9349588) remained anchored 50 km south of the port. TOUSKA (IMO 9328900) had previously conducted unknown cargo operations there on March 29–30 before U.S. forces seized it in the Gulf of Oman for breaching the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, as well as being suspected of carrying contraband items. Zhuhai Port at Gaolan Island has been identified in reports as a source of precursor chemicals for rocket fuel.

Iran flagged container ships near Zhuhai, China, on May 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)
 

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned bulk cargo ship BASKAR (IMO 9405942) departed Yangjiang Port on April 30 after arriving on April 27 for unknown cargo operations. BASKAR is not broadcasting its destination, but it is likely returning to Iran in ballast.

Iran flagged cargo ship departing Yangjiang, China, on May 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)