Trump, Who Has No Guts, Told Ship Captains to "Show Some Guts"

"Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than before the war, showing it is in control of a strategic waterway that it has closed off to the rest of the region's oil producers. As Gulf Arab oil producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq cut production and scramble for new routes that bypass the strait, Iran is conducting business as usual."

"Much of the Iranian oil moving across or toward the strait appears to be headed for China on tankers that are part of the so-called shadow fleet, based on Kpler data. These are old tankers used by Iran and Russia, often sanctioned by the U.S., to covertly ship crude."

"Pole Star Global assessed 29 Iranian vessels that went dark by switching off their satellite identification systems after the US first seized a Venezuelan tanker in December. Half were older than the 20-year recommended safe service life, the analysts said, and because they operate in the shadows, they are believed to be poorly maintained and could fail to meet international safety standards."

Despite geopolitical tensions and warnings about navigating the Strait of Hormuz, Iran continues exporting oil at elevated levels through the waterway while Gulf Arab producers cut production and pursue bypass routes. Iran operates through a shadow fleet of old, often poorly maintained tankers, many exceeding safe service life limits, to covertly ship crude primarily to China. These vessels frequently disable satellite identification systems and operate outside international safety standards. Meanwhile, regional oil producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq face disruption, while Iran's continued operations provide financial relief amid international pressure from the U.S. and Israel.

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