Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 14, 2026
3 min readLast updated: January 19, 2026
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Dozens of ships anchor outside Iran's ports as tensions with the US rise, impacting shipping movements and increasing navigation interference.
By Jonathan Saul
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Dozens of commercial ships have dropped anchor at a distance outside Iran's port limits in recent days, according to data and shipping sources, as tensions with the United States grow.
Such movements were precautionary given the tensions amid ongoing protests in Iran, the shipping sources said. Port limits are significant because they run a higher risk of collateral damage in the event of air strikes on nearby infrastructure.
The U.S. is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned its neighbours that it would hit American bases if Washington strikes Iran.
The country relies on seaborne trade for imports using dry bulkers, general cargo and container ships as well as oil tankers for oil exports.
The number of tankers moving into Iran's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a stretch of water along its Gulf and Caspian coasts that extends up to 24 miles and beyond local territorial limits of 12 nautical miles, jumped from 1 vessel to 36 tankers between January 6 and January 12, analysis by maritime intelligence solutions provider Pole Star Global shows.
At least 25 bulk carriers were stationary in Iran's EEZ off the major port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic showed.
A further 25 ships including container and cargo vessels had dropped anchor further south off the port of Bandar Abbas, MarineTraffic data showed.
Israel launched air strikes in June 2025 on targets in Bandar Abbas, where at least 70 people were killed in unexplained blasts in April and authorities did not rule out sabotage.
As Iran's leadership tries to put down the worst unrest the Islamic Republic has faced, Tehran is seeking to deter U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.
The level of interference with GNSS navigation systems, which included GPS, had increased to "substantial" in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz area over the past week, the U.S. Navy's Combined Maritime Force said in a note on Monday.
"This is highly likely due to force protection measures being taken in relation to the ongoing political tensions in the region. Vessels transiting this area could be impacted," the note said.
(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Seaborne trade refers to the transportation of goods and commodities by sea. It is essential for countries that rely on imports and exports, especially for bulk goods and oil.
A shipping zone is a designated area in which vessels can operate. It includes territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, impacting shipping routes and regulations.
Collateral damage refers to unintended damage or casualties inflicted during military operations. In shipping, it can mean damage to vessels or cargo due to military actions.
A navigation system is a technology used to determine the position and course of vessels at sea. It includes systems like GPS, which are crucial for safe maritime operations.
Tankers are large ships designed to transport liquid cargo, such as oil or chemicals. They play a vital role in global trade and energy supply.
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