‘Dark passages’: How US is clandestinely guiding vessels through Strait of Hormuz as peace deal with Iran drags
The US Central Command has covertly guided approximately 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the past three weeks, using 'dark passages' with transponders off to avoid Iranian detection, amid stalled peace negotiations with Iran. Shipping analysts note the routes favor proximity to Oman, while US officials warn vessels risk Iranian drone or missile attacks without Iranian approval, highlighting ongoing supply chain disruptions in the Persian Gulf.
The US Central Command has quietly facilitated the passage of around 70 commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz over the last three weeks, according to *The New York Times* report citing US officials. Most vessels disabled their transponders to evade detection, navigating routes farther from Iran’s coastline, often closer to Oman. Iranian approval is required for safe passage, and ships without it face near-certain attacks by drones or missiles, officials said. Before US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, over 100 ships transited the strait daily. The current US-assisted crossings—averaging three ships per day—do not signal a full recovery but indicate some shipowners are willing to risk the journey to avoid delays in the Persian Gulf, where vessels have been stranded for weeks. The US-coordinated routes also provide an alternative to obtaining Iranian permission or paying tolls. The conflict has disrupted global crude oil supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz handles 20% of the world’s oil and gas. US President Donald Trump recently stated progress toward a peace deal with Iran, contingent on Tehran guaranteeing its nuclear stockpile won’t be weaponized. Iran has demanded the US lift sanctions and unfreeze frozen oil revenues. In early May, the US launched *Project Freedom* to aid vessels through the strait but halted it after objections from Saudi Arabia. While the Central Command now encourages ships to transit independently, it no longer provides naval escorts. A spokesman confirmed coordination but avoided publicizing the effort to prevent Iranian retaliation. During *Project Freedom*, two US-flagged ships passed through. Additionally, the US imposed a blockade in the Gulf of Oman in April, redirecting 116 ships away from Iranian ports and effectively cutting off Iran’s oil exports. Maritime data shows that of 895 crossings between March 1 and May 19, only half followed Iran-approved routes, while 40% took unknown or 'dark' paths. The US has not widely publicized its assistance to minimize risks for participating vessels.
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