Iran War Shipping Update - May 4, 2026

Since the start of the Iran War on February 28, Iran’s “Ghost Fleet” continues active operations—loading cargo, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and sailing east toward China—though the U.S. blockade may now be restricting exports. UANI tracking shows ongoing illicit maritime activity. The U.S. blockade targets vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports and those carrying sanctioned or contraband oil, but does not apply to all Iran-linked ships. U.S. forces focus primarily on large VLCC tankers rather than smaller carriers. On May 4, the U.S. launched “Project Freedom,” designed to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial vessels through the Strait despite ongoing IRGC-Navy threats.

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 May 4 President Trump announced a new maritime operation called “Project Freedom.” The stated goal is to help escort or “guide” commercial vessels stranded in or near the Strait of Hormuz after escalating conflict and de facto Iranian restrictions on shipping traffic.

See the UANI statement on the announcement of Project Freedom

Admiral Cooper, USN, the U.S. CENTCOM Commander, posted further details about Projet Freedom:

On May 4, U.S. CENTCOM posted that U.S. forces have directed 50 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port since the commencement of the blockade. 

Also, U.S. CENTCOM posted a “Fact Check” about a public claim by Iranian state media, that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit a U.S. warship with two missiles.  CENTCOM replied that, “No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”

U.S Designations

On May 1, 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, 41 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 18 to May 2 (Credit: JMIC)

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf

UANI has identified at least 36 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 4

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. Another 9 Iranian-flagged cargo ships were broadcasting on AIS, while at anchor on May 4.

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 64 Iranian oil loadings, 36 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. These shipments represent approximately 78 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 3 imagery shows it is now anchored northeast of the island.

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.

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began, at least 32 Iran-flagged tankers have reached Southeast Asian waters bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia.

On May 3, the first Iranian-flagged tanker to transit the Lombok Strait in Indonesia was observed.  HUGE (IMO 9357183) loaded at Kharg Island on March 31, and departed from Chabahar on April 14, and was spotted near Galle, Sri Lanka on April 23.  On May 4, a second Iranian-flagged tanker, DERYA (9569700), also transited this sensitive strait.  DERYA had previously appeared in the Gulf of Ketch, attempting to deliver Iranian oil at Sikka, India  but departed on April 19.  Both ships briefly broadcast on AIS while transiting the strait and were also observed in Satellite imagery.  This marks a significant new operational pattern. These tankers likely departed Iran, laden with oil bound for China, after the imposition of the US blockade. They likely took an uneconomical route through the Indian Ocean and the Lombok Strait in order to avoid interdiction by US forces.  It remains to be seen if these ships proceed to the Malaysian EOPL for STS, or if they sail directly to China to deliver their cargo.

Iran flagged container tankers transiting the Lombok Strait on May 3 & 4 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

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 124 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 4, 36 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering near the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. At least three STS transfers involving Iranian oil were observed in satellite imagery today, demonstrating that Iranian-flagged and ghost fleet tankers continue to operate with impunity across Southeast Asia's sea lanes.

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships Globally

On May 4, four Iranian flagged cargo vessels continued to anchor about 70 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.

Iran flagged bulk carriers near Karachi, Pakistan on May 2-4 (Credit: Marine Traffic & ESA Copernicus)

The Iran flagged container ship ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) has continued drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 19, now about 350 km west of Mumbai, India, inside the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). ARTABAZ departed Mumbai on April 19, after unknown cargo operations.

Iran flagged container ships drifting in Arabian Sea on May 4 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ships AZARGOUN (IMO 9283019) and AREZOO (IMO 9165786) remained anchored outside Port Klang, Malaysia.  AREZOO has been anchored here since April 16, and AZARGOUN since May 1.

Iran flagged container ships near Port Klang, Malaysia on May 2-4 (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned bulk cargo ship KIAZAND (IMO 9465758) arrived in port in ballast condition at Songkhla, Thailand on May 3, for unknown cargo ops.  It previously departed Xiamen, China, on April 26. KIAZAND had previously departed Bandar Abbas on March 23.  The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned ship WARTA (9465849) had previously visited Songkhla March 15-18.

Iran flagged container ship at Songkhla, Thailand, on May 4 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ship BEHNAVAZ (IMO 9346548) arrived at the anchorage outside Shanghai on May 3.  BAHNAVAZ departed Zuhai port on May 1,after conducting unknown cargo operations.  The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ship ANDIA (IMO 9193197) departed the Shanghai anchorage on May 1, after unknown cargo ops, and began a transit back to the Persian Gulf.  The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ship SHABGOUN (IMO 9346524) departed the Shanghai anchorage on May 4, after unknown cargo ops.  The next port was listed as Zuhia on AIS, with an ETA of May 7.

Iran flagged container ships near Shanghai, China, on May 4 (Credit: Marine Traffic)
 

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned container ships 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 press reports as a source of precursor chemicals for rocket fuel.

Iran flagged container ships near Zhuhai, China, on May 3-4 (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)
 

The Iran-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned bulk cargo ships OURA (IMO 9387815) and BATIS (IMO 9465760) were in the vicinity of Dafeng, China.  OURA arrived in Dafeng terminal on May 4, after departing Bandar Abbas, laden with unknown cargo, on April 9, and transiting the Singapore Strait on April 23. BATIS arrived in laden status, at the anchorage near Dafeng on May 4, after departing Bandar Abbas on April 3, and transiting the Singapore strait on April 21.  Both ships.  Both ships appeared to pause near Galle, Sri Lanka for brief logistics support: BATIS on April 13, and OURA on April 17.  OURA, which departed Iran after BATIS, overtook BATIS north of Taiwan in the East China Sea on May 1.

Iran flagged container ships near Dafeng, China, on May 4 (Credit: Marine Traffic)