The Era of Quiet Tolerance May Be Ending for Iran’s Dark Fleet

 Iran’s oil exports edged lower in January 2026, but the modest decline offers little comfort to sanctions enforcers. According to tracking data compiled by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), Iran shipped an estimated 46.9 million barrels of crude during the month, equivalent to about 1.51 million barrels per day. That represents a drop of roughly 3% from December levels, with total export revenues estimated at just over $3 billion. . . . UANI Senior Advisor Charlie Brown commented, “Sanctions enforcement is going global. If dark fleet activity continues unchecked, Malaysia risks shifting from transit point with assumed plausible deniability to primary pressure point on a facilitator in Iran’s oil trade.”