An Iraqi-flagged supertanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz has reversed course after approaching the U.S. naval blockade line. The oil-laden vessel Agios Fanourios I had cleared the strait over the weekend but canceled its voyage to Vietnam on Monday, making an unexplained U-turn. The incident underscores the risks facing third-party shipping as Washington and Tehran enforce rival restrictions across the waterway.
Commercial transits through the strait have largely halted, with Iran-linked vessels dominating what little traffic remains. According to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, Monday's observable commercial transits were limited to six Iranian vessels and one bulker. Outbound traffic included an Iranian LPG carrier, two small fuel tankers, and a bulker. A Qatari LNG carrier, the Mihzem, marked a rare civilian transit, heading to Pakistan after briefly turning back and disabling its transponder as a precautionary measure.
U.S. Central Command has confirmed that the military has diverted 62 commercial ships since the blockade on Iran took effect. President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran's latest offer and signaled that a ceasefire remains precarious, while Iran has deployed small submarines described as invisible guardians to secure its position in the strait. Qatari authorities have instructed ships near their main LNG export facility to disable tracking systems as a safety measure, further reducing visibility.
Widespread AIS signal spoofing has made independent verification of ship traffic increasingly difficult. The U.S. naval presence is also distorting the picture, as Iran-linked vessels entering or leaving the Gulf switch off AIS signals to avoid detection. Because vessels can move without transmitting their location, automated positioning signals are being compiled over a large area covering the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea. Iran-linked oil tankers often steam from the Persian Gulf without broadcasting signals until they reach the Strait of Malacca, approximately ten days after passing Fujairah.
Diplomatic signals offer little reassurance, and tensions over the strait remain elevated. The situation highlights the fragility of global energy supply chains and their dependence on reliable transit routes. Transit counts may be revised upward in coming days as vessels reappear after switching their signals back on once clear of high-risk waters.
Key Takeaways:
1. Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has largely halted, with Iran-linked vessels dominating limited transits.
2. Oil-laden Iraqi tanker Agios Fanourios I reversed course after approaching the U.S. blockade line, canceling its voyage to Vietnam.
3. Qatari LNG carrier Mihzem became one of the rare civilian vessels to transit the strait, adopting safety measures by disabling its transponder.
4. U.S. Central Command has diverted 62 commercial ships since the Iranian blockade took effect.
5. Widespread AIS signal spoofing has made independent verification of ship traffic increasingly difficult.
