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Ships Evade US Iran Blockade by Changing Signals in Hormuz Strait

At least two Iran-flagged container ships transited the Strait of Hormuz toward Iranian ports after changing their Automatic Identification System (AIS) destination to a generic "Persian Gulf ports" designation. The US Central Command has deployed over 10,000 personnel and numerous warships to enforce a blockade on all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. Analysts note such AIS manipulation complicates intelligence gathering and requires more resources to track maritime traffic. Daily transit through the critical waterway has plummeted to below 10% of pre-conflict levels following US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.

Key Points: Ships Evade US Blockade to Reach Iranian Ports: Report

  • Ships altered AIS destination data
  • Blockade enforced by over 10,000 US troops
  • Traffic through strait down over 90%
  • Complicates US intelligence collection
3 min read

Two ships transit Hormuz for Iranian ports despite US blockade: Report

Two Iran-flagged ships altered AIS data to transit the US blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, complicating enforcement, according to shipping reports.

"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED - Donald Trump"

London, April 15

At least two vessels transited through the Strait of Hormuz en route to Iranian ports after altering their Automatic Identification System destination data, following a US blockade on ships entering and leaving Iran, British shipping media reported.

The report by British shipping media Lloyd's List said that following the enforcement of the blockade, some vessels with intended calls at Iranian ports were observed adjusting their AIS destination signals while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the report, shortly after the blockade took effect, at least two Iran-flagged container ships previously indicating sailing to the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas changed their AIS messages to the more general designation of "PG Ports," meaning "Persian Gulf ports."

After successfully passing through the Strait, they continued their journey toward Bandar Abbas on Tuesday, said the report.

Citing analysts, the report said such actions could complicate the intelligence collection phase of the US blockade and require additional resources to track and identify vessels involved in maritime traffic to Iranian ports.

The US Central Command said Tuesday that more than 10,000 troops are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports, targeting vessels of all nationalities without discrimination.

Six merchant vessels have complied with the direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman, the command said on X.

"During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the US blockade," it said, noting that over 10,000 sailors, marines and airmen, along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are executing the blockade.

The blockade covers Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, it said.

At least nine commercial vessels have crossed the strait since Monday, according to the maritime data firm Kpler.

On Monday, CNN reported that there were at least 15 US ships in the region that could participate in the blockade, though it was unclear where specifically the ships were.

US President Donald Trump threatened on Monday that the US military will "eliminate" any ship of Iran if it comes close to the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Daily traffic in the strait has fallen to below 10 per cent of pre-conflict levels, from more than 100 vessels before the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran on February 28.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Very concerning for India's energy security. A significant portion of our oil imports passes through that strait. Any conflict or blockade there directly impacts our economy and the common person's pocket. The government should be actively engaging with all parties to ensure free navigation. 🇮🇳
A
Arjun K
Smart move by the ship captains. Changing the AIS signal is like a digital jugaad to survive in an unfair situation. The US can't police the entire ocean. This shows the blockade is more for show than actual effectiveness. Traffic is down 90% though, that's brutal for regional economies.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the geopolitical tensions, Trump's language is reckless. Threatening to "eliminate" ships is not how a responsible global power behaves. It creates immense risk for civilian sailors from all nations. The international community needs to step in and de-escalate this immediately.
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Vikram M
The report says over 10,000 troops and dozens of aircraft/warships are involved. That's a massive military deployment just to stop a few ships. Imagine if those resources were used for climate change or poverty alleviation. The priorities of world powers are truly baffling sometimes.
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Karthik V
As an Indian, our foreign policy of strategic autonomy is being tested. We have good relations with both the US and Iran. We must navigate this carefully, advocating for peaceful resolution and the freedom of navigation in international waters. Our Chabahar port project is also at stake here.

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