WASHINGTON (TNND) — Tankers posing as Iraqi ships are moving millions of dollars in Iranian crude as the U.S. blockade continues, according to reports.
According to Windward AI, tankers are making up fake numbers regarding location data and posing as Iraqi ships and secretly loading Iranian oil at ports in Iran.
“Among the tankers spoofing their location in the area identified by Windward are four VLCCs (very large crude carriers): Alicia (IMO 9281695), RHN (IMO 9208215), Star Forest (9237632) and Aqua (IMO 9248473), using various flags, including fraudulent registries from Curacao and Malawi,” Windward AI told Fox News Digital.
President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he would keep Iran under a naval blockade until negotiations happen.
“For the four VLCCs, each VLCC can hold about 2 million barrels, so four of them would hold 8 million barrels worth about $800 million at $100 per barrel,” Windward said.
The Iran war began earlier this year after Israel and the U.S. conducted joint drone strikes on Iran over concerns that the country had missiles.
Iran retaliated, resulting in U.S. soldiers getting killed or injured. While there is a temporary ceasefire, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key passage for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Iran offered to open the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. ended the blockade. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the proposal.