WANA (Aug 31) – Reports indicate that Iran has intensified surveillance and actions targeting ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers in the Strait of Hormuz, a method that has become one of the few remaining options for moving oil shipments amid restrictions on maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.

 

According to economic reports, MarineHelm, a maritime data analysis platform, reported that Iran has acquired new capabilities to detect ship-to-ship transfers allegedly carried out under U.S. protection in the Strait of Hormuz. The report said that actions against non-compliant vessels have increased in recent days.

 

The report added that ship-to-ship transfers, which have been used as one of the limited methods for transporting oil cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz, are now under Iran’s monitoring and control.

 

Meanwhile, TankerTrackers said that secure STS (ship-to-ship) transfers in the Strait of Hormuz are currently being carried out by Iranian vessels. STS refers to the transfer of cargo from one vessel to another at sea.

 

In a separate development, follow-up reports indicate that the Strait of Hormuz is fully under the control of Iran’s armed forces, and vessels will only be allowed to pass through the strategic waterway after obtaining the necessary authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

 

According to the reports, unauthorized passage through designated routes is not possible, and any attempt by vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz without coordination or in violation of issued regulations would face an immediate response from Iran’s armed forces.

 

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passing through the waterway.