Most Iranian-flagged tankers have started to transmit accurately via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for the first time in seven and a half years, according to TankerTrackers.com. This shift, which began on Tuesday, signifies greater operational transparency within Iran’s maritime fleet, although the reasons for this sudden change remain unclear.
Two independent AIS data providers have corroborated this change in transmission behavior, as reported by TankerTrackers. For more than seven years, Iranian vessels have predominantly used AIS spoofing to hide their actual positions and movements, a tactic largely employed to circumvent sanctions and mask Iranian oil exports. The reversion to standard AIS broadcasting represents a noteworthy departure from this former practice.
The implications of this development raise questions about whether it is a strategic decision by Iranian authorities or the result of other factors. Iran has previously warned of potential retaliation against Western assets in the Middle East if its vessels were provoked. As this situation unfolds, the timing and motivation behind this newfound transparency in AIS transmission remain to be fully understood.
