A significant maritime event unfolded near the UAE’s main oil hub, Fujairah, as Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions collapsed, causing a mass tanker blackout in the Persian Gulf. This disruption in maritime tracking was detected by Windward AI, which cited possible causes such as electronic warfare, jamming, deliberate AIS shutdowns, and cyber interference, all occurring just hours before President Donald Trump announced progress on a bilateral peace deal with Iran [1].
Windward AI reported that while vessels remained in the area, many had gone dark and were loading less cargo. Despite the blackout, Fujairah managed to move 1.35 million barrels of crude oil on May 24 aboard a single Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) destined for South Korea. This marked the first signal of oil flow resuming from Fujairah since the announcement of the US-Iran deal, though Windward cautioned that one cargo does not indicate a return to normal operations [1].
President Trump stated that Washington and Tehran had 'largely finalized' a memorandum of understanding for a peace agreement, which would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran responded by asserting its absolute control over the strategic maritime choke point. Iran’s official military spokesperson, Ibrahim Al-Fiqar, emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under full Iranian administration and sovereignty, with Tehran retaining exclusive rights to determine transit routes, timing, and issuance of maritime licenses [1].
The escalation in tanker blackout and crude transfer activity coincided with the launch of Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) on May 20. The PGSA, overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, now requires ships to submit detailed information and mandatory payments for safe passage through the strait. Regional analysts noted that Iran’s territorial claims have extended beyond its own waters into areas associated with Oman and the UAE, further heightening tensions in the region [1].
CONCLUSION
The mass tanker blackout and resumed oil transfer from Fujairah highlight heightened tensions and uncertainty in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing US-Iran peace negotiations. While the movement of 1.35 million barrels signals a tentative resumption of oil flows, Iran’s firm stance on controlling the Strait of Hormuz and new regulatory measures suggest continued volatility for regional shipping and energy markets.