## Iranian Supertankers Disable Tracking Near Strait of Hormuz, Raising Questions About Covert Crude Export Routes
Two Iran-flagged supertankers carrying an estimated 4 million barrels of crude have successfully navigated past U.S. surveillance measures in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint, according to satellite imagery analyzed by energy intelligence firm Vortexa and reported by Bloomberg. The vessels—identified as the Hero II and the Hedy—disappeared from public tracking systems weeks before their detected exit from the Persian Gulf, signaling a coordinated effort to mask their movements amid heightened sanctions enforcement.

The two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), each capable of transporting approximately 2 million barrels, switched off their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders before entering monitored shipping lanes. The Hero II last transmitted its position more than a month ago while in the Malacca Strait, according to MarineTraffic data. The Hedy vanished from tracking systems over 70 days ago near the Singapore-Malaysia corridor, a transit zone frequently used by vessels moving oil toward Asian buyers. The timing and scale of these movements suggest these supertankers are part of a deliberate strategy to obscure Iranian crude exports from U.S. monitoring efforts targeting Tehran's petroleum revenue.

The development intensifies scrutiny over the effectiveness of American sanctions designed to strangle Iran's oil income. While some Iranian crude reaches markets through legitimate channels, vessels that deliberately go dark represent a distinct category of evasion that complicates enforcement. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, making any covert activity in these waters a significant concern for energy market stability and sanctions architects. The use of AIS manipulation by state-affiliated tankers signals a calculated willingness to test the limits of U.S. maritime surveillance capabilities.
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- **Source**: ZeroHedge
- **Sector**: The Network
- **Tags**: Iran, oil sanctions, Strait of Hormuz, tanker tracking, US sanctions enforcement
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-04-22 18:57:34
- **ID**: 76058
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/76058