Windward Tracks Iran-Linked Ships Loitering Over Gulf of Oman Cables

ZeroHedge, citing a Financial Times report, says at least four vessels with Iranian links hovered above subsea telecom lines in the Gulf of Oman during October. The account draws on tracking by maritime intelligence firm Windward.

Key points

• The vessels: Windward flagged three US-sanctioned tankers plus one small Iranian fishing boat.
• Celestial Sea: One tanker circled near the 2Africa cable for more than four hours on Oct. 14, then switched off its tracking system the next day between two cable routes.
• Fishing vessel: Later in the month, the fishing boat hung around the Europe India Gateway and Transworld lines.
• Windward's reading: The firm told the FT the ships moved normally until arriving at a cable corridor, then slowed, circled or went dark. It described the behavior as one that "fits the profile of mapping the cable routes" or of placing charges or mines on them.
• Iranian statement: In October, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said seven major undersea internet cables pass through the Strait of Hormuz and warned that "new targets and new weapons shall be unveiled."

Quick take

ZeroHedge sets the report against oil market moves, writing that Brent futures stayed below $100 a barrel and that a $20-a-barrel war risk premium vanished as markets bet on a near-term peace deal. The outlet argues the worldwide energy and refining crunch is not over and says renewed full-scale fighting between the US and Iran remains possible.

Read the full story at ZeroHedge.