Journalist Dror Balazada (Channel 14) reports exclusively that between 40 and 50 tankers of the Iranian shadow fleet are currently operating off the coasts of Malaysia and China. Balazada questions why the US is not interdicting them if sanctions have not been lifted.
Journalist Dror Balazada (Channel 14) published an exclusive report Tuesday evening claiming that 40 to 50 oil tankers belonging to the Iranian shadow fleet are currently operating off the coasts of Malaysia and China. Balazada's report questions why the United States has not interdicted these vessels if the sanctions regime against Iran remains in place. The claim adds to a growing body of unverified reports in recent weeks about the resilience and reach of Iran's covert oil export operations, amid ongoing US efforts to enforce a naval blockade in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. As The Zioneer has reported, multiple tanker-tracking firms and regional sources have noted a partial erosion of the blockade, with some vessels successfully delivering Iranian crude to buyers in East Asia. Balazada's figure of 40–50 tankers represents a significant escalation in scope compared to earlier reports, but remains unsourced beyond the journalist's own assertion, and no official US or independent maritime monitoring confirmation is available at this time.
- StrongIranian media reports three tankers, two cargo ships en route to Iran, suggesting blockade may be eroding
- StrongAt least 13 US aerial refueling tankers now active over Persian Gulf off Iran's coast
- StrongShips shift to Omani side of Hormuz amid nightly Iranian drone launches, report says
- DevelopingAbu Saleh's Arab Desk: 12 Iranian oil tankers en route to China, two more loading
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