Dozens of ships anchor outside Iran’s ports as U.S. tensions rise
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
LONDON, January 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – 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.
Shipping sources said the movements were precautionary given the tensions and ongoing protests in Iran. Port limits are significant because they run a higher risk of collateral damage in the event of air strikes on nearby infrastructure, the sources said.
The United States 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 it would hit American bases if Washington strikes Iran.
Iran 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) jumped from one vessel to 36 tankers between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12, analysis by maritime intelligence provider Pole Star Global showed.
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.
The level of interference with GNSS navigation systems, including 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.
Source: Reuters
