{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV","title":"Iran Dark Fleet Slips Past U.S. Blockade","domain":"wsj.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/32237794/pexels-photo-32237794.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Iranian oil tanker Strait","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"0cff8c54","id":"0cff8c54-7a58-4fd1-bd91-5ebbe7647916","description":"Iran Ships Evade: More than two dozen Iran-linked vessels carrying oil and gas have slipped past the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13.[","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Iran Ships Evade:** More than two dozen Iran-linked vessels carrying oil and gas have slipped past the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n- **26 Vessels Passed:** At least 26 laden ships sailed in and out of Iranian ports, including 11 oil-and-gas tankers and two large crude carriers each holding around two million barrels.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n- **Blockade Incomplete:** U.S. Central Command turned back 23 ships but Adm. Brad Cooper claimed American forces had completely halted sea trade in and out of Iran.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## The story at a glance\nIran-linked ships in the so-called dark fleet have evaded a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and brokers. U.S. Central Command reports turning back 23 vessels, while at least 26 laden ones passed through, including oil tankers. The article highlights this gap one week after the blockade began on April 13 amid an ongoing Iran war involving Israel and the U.S. One example is the Greek-owned cargo ship Basel, which left Bandar Imam Khomeini on April 15 and crossed the line on April 19.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## Key points\n- Blockade imposed April 13 to stop sea trade in and out of Iranian ports.\n- Lloyd’s List Intelligence tracked at least 26 laden Iran-linked ships that sailed in or out since then.\n- U.S. Central Command turned back 23 such ships.\n- Among those that passed: 11 oil-and-gas tankers and two very large crude carriers, each able to carry about two million barrels of oil.\n- Greek-owned general cargo carrier Basel departed Bandar Imam Khomeini on April 15, passed blockade on April 19; confirmed by Lloyd’s List and Athens brokers.\n- Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said last week that American forces had completely halted Iranian sea trade.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## Details and context\nThe dark fleet consists of Iran-linked vessels often used to carry oil and gas while evading sanctions. These ships have sailed despite the U.S. blockade line in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Tracking comes from maritime intelligence firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence and brokers who arrange the cargoes.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\nThe Basel, a general cargo carrier, provides a specific case: brokers in Athens shared its path with the Wall Street Journal, showing it left an Iranian port days after the blockade started and crossed undetected until confirmed later. U.S. claims of a full halt contrast with this data, suggesting enforcement gaps for some traffic.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## Key quotes\nAdm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command: \"American forces had completely halted sea trade in and out of Iran.\"[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe incomplete blockade allows Iran to continue some oil and gas exports, sustaining revenue amid war pressures from the U.S. and Israel. Shippers, brokers, and markets face higher risks of interception or evasion tactics, affecting global energy flows through the strait. Watch U.S. Central Command updates on interceptions and any escalation in boarding or seizures of dark fleet vessels.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## What changed\nBefore April 13, Iran-linked dark fleet ships moved oil and gas cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. blockade interference. Now, U.S. forces enforce a naval line, turning back 23 vessels while 26 laden ones have passed according to trackers. The shift began April 13, revealing limits in the claimed full halt on Iranian sea trade.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: How many Iran-linked ships evaded the U.S. blockade?\nA: At least 26 laden ships have sailed in and out of Iranian ports since April 13, per Lloyd’s List Intelligence. This includes 11 oil-and-gas tankers and two large crude carriers. U.S. Central Command reports turning back 23 others.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\nQ: What is an example of a ship that passed the blockade?\nA: The Greek-owned general cargo carrier Basel left Bandar Imam Khomeini on April 15 and passed the blockade line on April 19. Brokers in Athens confirmed this to the Wall Street Journal, with Lloyd’s List Intelligence verifying the crossing.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\nQ: What did U.S. Central Command claim about the blockade?\nA: Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces had completely halted sea trade in and out of Iran. Yet data shows 26 ships passed despite 23 being turned back.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)\n\nQ: What types of vessels slipped through?\nA: Eleven were oil-and-gas tankers, and two were large crude carriers each able to move around two million barrels of oil. These Iran-linked ships carried cargoes despite the blockade.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV)","hashtags":["#iran","#us","#blockade","#strait","#hormuz","#oil"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/iran-dark-fleet-vessels-slip-through-blockade-FOA0FJA3PNxMk8IrHwAV","title":"Original article"}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-21T15:56:31.213Z","createdAt":"2026-04-21T15:56:31.213Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z"}