Iran is using new ways to store excess oil that it isn't able to sell due to the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, including the use of old sites and improvised containers, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Iran is using "junk storage," including improvised containers and old sites, to store excess oil it's still producing and refining at its facilities. The report also notes that the regime is attempting to ship crude oil to China by rail, with the containers used in these shipments improvised as well. This situation stems from the fact that the Iranian extraction and refining systems can't be shut down, with Kharg Island's infrastructure (where 90% of Iranian oil shipments are processed) at risk of failure if the oil flow is cut. Tankers spotted loading oil on Iran's Kharg Island A Washington Post report from earlier this month revealed that Iran has been using unorthodox means to store its excess oil for several weeks now. Satellite images showed empty tankers loading oil at Kharg Island. Three tankers were spotted in Kharg Island, while another two were seen at Bandar Mahshahr, Iran’s northernmost port in the Persian Gulf. Another five tankers, loaded with approximately nine million barrels of oil, were spotted in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week and are no longer visible in the images. The tankers serving as "floating oil storage" keep the site functioning, but they cannot break the US blockade, according to American officials.
Iran is using new ways to store excess oil that it isn't able to sell due to the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, including the use of old sites and improvised containers, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Iran is using "junk storage,…
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During the U.S. maritime blockade from April to mid-June, authorities report that over 140 vessels were redirected and nine were disabled near the Strait. These figures, which appear to relate to a specific U.S. initiative, should be independently verified.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is structured into five main branches, including the Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, Quds Force, and Basij, under a command hierarchy that reports to the Supreme Leader. Reports indicate the organization maintains a substantial economic portfolio, estimated by some analyses to represent 20-40% of Iran’s economy, while also wielding significant political influence.
Recent developments since February 2026 suggest ongoing adjustments to its operational structure in response to heightened security threats.
UNHCR estimates the Afghan national population in Iran at 4.4 million as of January 2026, encompassing both registered and unregistered refugees. Reports indicate this group may face compounded risks due to factors such as pre-existing socioeconomic marginalization, insecure legal status, and limited access to services alongside exposure to displacement.
On March 10, 2026, reports indicated that recent developments in the region may have broader implications for global energy markets, maritime transport, and supply chains. The full extent of these cross-border effects remains subject to ongoing assessment.