Iran War Shipping Update—March 23, 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 statement on Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, click here. For UANI’s statement on the temporary OFAC sanctions waiver on 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 22, 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 move temporarily reduces the risk of escalation, but it also leaves the status of the waterway and regional shipping security unresolved.

Numerous OFAC-sanctioned, UANI-listed tankers have transited the Strait of Hormuz laden with Iranian oil, intermittently switching their AIS signal off. These tankers briefly loiter off Qeshm Island before continuing through the strait, in a pattern that suggests they may be receiving tacit clearance from the Iranian regime to transit after checks as well as reportedly substantial payments. 

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf 

UANI has identified at least 30 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 23

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 19 Iranian oil loadings, 14 of which originated from Kharg Island. These shipments represent approximately 28 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.

On March 22, satellite imagery reveals three tankers loading Iranian crude at Kharg Island, Iran.

Satellite imagery of three tankers loading Iranian crude from Kharg Island, Iran on March 22

Iran-oil Laden Tankers That have Left the Persian Gulf 

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has observed at least eleven 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.

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iranian-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. On March 21, the Iranian-flagged tanker STARK 1 (IMO 9171450), laden with crude from Kharg Island, appeared on AIS in the Strait of Malacca before transiting the Singapore Strait on March 22 and arriving at the Malaysian anchorages. This marks the 14th Iranian-flagged tanker to reach Southeast Asian waters bound for the East Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia, since the conflict began.

Meanwhile, the Iranian-flagged tanker KARIZ (IMO 9364112) departed the EOPL, transited the Singapore Strait westbound, and continued through the Malacca Strait toward Iran. Since the start of the conflict, at least 15 Iran-flagged tankers have begun returning to Iran from the Malaysian EOPL anchorage and Southeast Asian sea lanes.

One Iranian-flagged tanker, laden with oil cargo, sailed via the Malacca and Singapore Straits to the Malaysian EOPL anchorage area on March 22 (Credit: Marine Traffic) 

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has recorded 72 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 22, 26 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering in the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. Five STS transfers involving Iranian crude were also observed via satellite imagery in this zone on this day. 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.