Iranian cargo ships are streaming back toward the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran agreement to extend their ceasefire, signaling a reopening of maritime trade routes. Ship-tracking data reveals six of seven Iranian-flagged container ships that sought refuge in Malaysian waters have departed for Gulf destinations since the deal was struck.

These vessels had been sheltering in Southeast Asia since April, when the US blockaded Iranian ports. Many operated with tracking systems disabled or flew false flags to evade detection. The 208-meter Alor 2 container ship exemplified this pattern, sailing from Malaysia to Russia's St Petersburg via the Suez Canal before returning to the region.

Maritime analysts note the Eastern Outer Port Limits off Malaysia has served as a key transshipment hub for illicit oil transfers, particularly between Iranian tankers and Chinese buyers. Iranian crude transfers there plummeted from 43 million barrels in February to just 500,000 barrels in early June amid the conflict.

Satellite imagery shows 24 large tankers waiting near Kharg Island, Iran's oil hub. Experts predict these vessels will soon load cargo and resume the established trade pattern, with Michelle Wiese Bockmann noting that Chinese willingness to purchase Iranian crude will determine whether operations return to pre-conflict levels.