INTERNACIONAL
Iran’s $800M oil smuggling scheme uses tankers posing as Iraqi ships to dodge blockade

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Sanctioned tankers disguised as Iraqi vessels are moving hundreds of millions of dollars in Iranian crude as President Donald Trump doubled down on the port blockade to squeeze Tehran’s oil lifeline, according to maritime intelligence.
Windward AI claimed Wednesday that a group of U.S.-sanctioned tankers are falsifying their location data to come off as anchored off Iraq while secretly loading Iranian oil at Iranian ports.
«Among the tankers spoofing their location in the area identified by Windward are four VLCCs: Alicia (IMO 9281695), RHN (IMO 9208215), Star Forest (9237632), and Aqua (IMO 9248473), using various flags, including fraudulent registries from Curacao and Malawi,» the firm told Fox News Digital.
«For the four VLCCs, each VLCC can hold about 2 million barrels, so four of them would hold 8 million barrels, worth about $800 million at $100 per barrel,» Windward said.
TRUMP CASTS MADURO’S OUSTER AS ‘SMART’ MOVE AS RUSSIA, CHINA ENTER THE FRAY
A cargo ship sails in the Persian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026. (AP Photo)
This came as Trump said Wednesday he will keep Iran under a naval blockade until it agrees to a deal addressing U.S. concerns about its nuclear program.
The U.S. administration has demanded that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment program, while Tehran maintains that enrichment is a sovereign right and nonnegotiable, leaving little room for compromise.
Windward AI noted a «cluster» sanctioned tankers spoofing locations and sighted to the West of the Strait of Hormuz.
«A cluster of 10 Iran-trading, U.S.-sanctioned tankers is now spoofing its AIS location to falsely appear at anchorages off Basrah, Iraq, as the blockade continues to constrict Iranian ports,» Windward explained.
«The vessels identified by Windward Multi-Source Intelligence are manipulating their signals to create a digital alibi,» the intelligence firm claimed.
«By broadcasting fake destination messages to Iraqi ports, the tankers appear to be in Iraqi waters while covertly sailing to Iran to load sanctioned oil.
US AND UKRAINE TARGET 1,000-VESSEL ‘DARK FLEET’ SMUGGLING SANCTIONED OIL WORLDWIDE
«Once loaded, the vessels re-emerge on AIS to suggest a legitimate Iraqi origin for the cargo.»
The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports began April 13 as part of a broader effort to pressure Iran into renegotiating limits on its nuclear program.
The blockade has unfolded in stages, starting with naval deployments and restricted maritime enforcement to limit Iran’s oil exports and economic activity.
Windward said more than two dozen tankers are currently confined west of Hormuz as of Wednesday, with the blockade cutting Iranian oil loadings and exports by more than half.
«This deceptive practice is under intensified scrutiny as the vessels are part of a larger group of more than two dozen tankers currently confined west of Hormuz,» the firm said.
«The handysize tanker Paola and Long Range One tanker Adena, both signaling ‘Iraqi owner’ but linked to a sanctioned network.»
TRUMP DECLARES ‘VENEZUELAN REGIME’ A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, ORDERS OIL TANKER BLOCKADE

Former President Donald Trump weighs a potential attack on Iran’s oil hub at Kharg Island amid expert predictions of market chaos. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)
The firm claimed three medium-range tankers, including Aqualis, Kush and Charminar, and the LPG carrier Royal H (IMO 9155341), which was newly sanctioned in February, are currently displaying «erratic voyage trails to suggest a loading at the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair.»
«The tell-tale spoofing signs, including erratic patterns and fake port signals, highlight the shifting tactics used by the dark fleet as the blockade more than halves Iranian oil loadings and exports,» the firm said.
Meanwhile. Iran’s Mohammad Ghalibaf slammed U.S. policymakers Wednesday, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, over the impact of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
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The parliamentary speaker cited «junk advice» and blamed the Treasury for pushing up oil prices.
«Three days in, no well exploded,» Ghalibaf said in a post shared on X.
us navy, middle east, war with iran, iran, sanctions
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras revive el miedo en el Aguán tras entierro de 20 campesinos asesinados

El entierro simultáneo de 20 campesinos asesinados en la comunidad de Rigores, Trujillo, volvió a exponer el profundo clima de miedo, violencia y conflicto agrario que durante décadas ha marcado al Bajo Aguán, una de las regiones más conflictivas de Honduras.
Entre llantos, escenas desgarradoras y reclamos de justicia, familiares y vecinos despidieron este viernes a la mayoría de las víctimas de una de las masacres más sangrientas registradas recientemente en el Caribe hondureño.
La tragedia no solo dejó a decenas de familias devastadas, sino que también reavivó el temor en comunidades campesinas que durante años han vivido bajo tensión debido a disputas por tierras, narcotráfico y presencia de grupos armados.

La mayoría de las víctimas fueron sepultadas entre las 7:00 y 8:00 de la mañana en el cementerio de Rigores, en medio de escenas de profundo dolor.
Hombres, mujeres y niños llegaron al camposanto para despedir a sus familiares mientras el llanto se escuchaba en distintos puntos de la comunidad.
“Yo quiero a mi abuelo”, gritaba desconsolada una niña mientras observaba el entierro de una de las víctimas.
Uno de los momentos más dolorosos ocurrió cuando tres hermanas fueron sepultadas juntas en una misma fosa, mientras que los hermanos Elmer y Wilmer Suchite, de 25 y 22 años, también fueron enterrados simultáneamente.
Los habitantes de Rigores describen la masacre como una de las peores tragedias ocurridas en la región del Aguán en las últimas décadas.

Tras la masacre, el temor volvió a apoderarse de los pobladores de la zona.
Muchos habitantes prefieren no hablar públicamente por miedo a represalias, mientras otros exigen anonimato para brindar testimonios sobre lo ocurrido.
Familiares de las víctimas aseguran que desconocen quiénes ejecutaron el ataque, pero reclaman que las autoridades actúen de inmediato para identificar y castigar a los responsables.
“Le corresponde al Gobierno y sus autoridades esclarecer este crimen y que se castigue con fuerza a sus autores”, expresó un familiar de una de las víctimas.
En la comunidad también circulan relatos estremecedores de sobrevivientes que escaparon por segundos de la escena del crimen.
El padre y el hermano de tres hermanas asesinadas lograron huir tras presenciar el ataque armado, según testimonios recopilados en la zona.

La región del Bajo Aguán es considerada una de las zonas agrícolas más importantes de Honduras debido a sus tierras fértiles utilizadas para cultivos de palma africana, maíz, frijoles y otros productos.
Sin embargo, también es uno de los territorios más violentos del país debido a un conflicto agrario que ha dejado más de 200 muertos durante las últimas décadas.
La disputa enfrenta históricamente a campesinos y terratenientes por el control de tierras reclamadas por comunidades agrícolas desde las décadas de 1970 y 1980.
Pobladores sostienen que muchas familias campesinas reclaman derechos históricos sobre terrenos que posteriormente fueron vendidos y quedaron bajo control privado.
Al mismo tiempo, organizaciones sociales denuncian que el conflicto se agravó con la presencia del narcotráfico y grupos criminales que operan en la región.

Aunque la Policía Nacional comenzó a desplegarse en la zona tras la masacre, muchos habitantes recuerdan con escepticismo que anteriores intervenciones militares no lograron detener la violencia.
Durante el gobierno de Xiomara Castro se creó una comisión especial para buscar una solución al conflicto agrario del Aguán, pero la problemática continuó sin resolverse.
Algunos pobladores denuncian además una supuesta alianza entre sectores políticos, estructuras criminales y terratenientes para mantener el control sobre las tierras más productivas de la región.
Mientras tanto, Rigores permanece sumida en el luto y el miedo tras una masacre que volvió a recordar que el conflicto en el Aguán sigue siendo una herida abierta en Honduras.
corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
INTERNACIONAL
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani releases audit accusing federal immigration agents of misleading tactics

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Findings from audits of six New York City agencies intended to ensure compliance with the city’s sanctuary laws found that federal immigration authorities use aggressive and deceptive tactics, the office of Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Friday.
The audits and recommendations were part of Executive Order 13, which mandated a public safety audit for six specific city agencies: the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the Departments of Correction (DOC), Probation (DOP), Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and Social Services (DSS).
The order was issued by Mamdani upon taking office in an effort to fulfill a promise to protect the city’s immigrant communities.
The 19-page executive summary details the interactions between the agencies and federal immigration authorities, as well as recommendations to close loopholes and blind spots in the city’s sanctuary policies.
MAMDANI CLARIFIES NYC WON’T CHECK IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE ENROLLEES
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has said the NYPD will not assist federal immigration enforcement operations, reaffirming a promise he made on the campaign trail. A report outlying the results of an audit of six city agencies detailed loopholes and ways to strengthening the city’s sanctuary laws. (Nicolas Economou/Getty Images)
«The findings and recommendations released today will strengthen City agencies’ protocols when interacting with federal authorities and ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can safely access the City services they deserve,» said Faiza Ali, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, in a statement.
Among the findings were that federal immigration authorities have intensified their targeting of city shelters, resulting in a sharp increase in detainer requests to the city’s Department of Correction and New York Police Department. The report also accused immigration authorities of using aggressive and misleading tactics.
The NYPD received 3,672 requests for civil immigration detainers in 2025—a massive spike from just 99 requests the previous year. The NYPD did not transfer any individuals to ICE in response to these requests.
MAMDANI VOWS NYPD WILL ‘NEVER’ GO BACK TO ADAMS-ERA COOPERATION WITH ICE ENFORCEMENT
In June 2025, personnel with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) visited a shelter and initially falsely identified themselves as Fire Department officials, the report states. They only admitted they were with DHS after a city employee demanded identification.
In April 2025, officers from several federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS, the FBI, and the DEA visited shelters ten times, sometimes in plainclothes. They used tactics such as asking to conduct «wellness checks» on children in order to inquire about specific clients. In other instances, agents presented subpoenas or administrative warrants, which do not legally authorize access to shelters, though they did present legally binding judicial warrants on two occasions (leading to one arrest).
In another instance, ICE agents entered a Department of Probation (DOP) building in Brooklyn and asked to use the bathroom, but then attempted to look through the facility’s sign-in book. Staff intercepted them, checked their identification, and escorted them out, the report said.
MAMDANI DECLARES HE’S READY FOR ‘ANY CONSEQUENCE’ FOR STANDING AGAINST TRUMP’S FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
Mamdani has been a vocal opponent of ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. In a statement, he called the audit a «critical step towards strengthening compliance with our local laws and reinforcing New York City’s protections for immigrant communities.»
«I am proud to share key findings and recommendations from the audit that will ensure that we are responding to the changing nature of federal immigration enforcement and protecting the rights of all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status,» he said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House urged leaders to cooperate with ICE.
«ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities — local officials should work with them, not against them,» White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said. «Anyone doing otherwise is simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens. The Trump Administration will not waver on enforcing federal immigration law.»
The recommendations in the report include:
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- Limiting the inclusion of immigration status details in pre-sentencing investigation reports.
- Strengthening internal protocols for tracking and publicly posting detainer requests.
- Revising shelter incident reports and protocols regarding access to city property.
- Establishing protocols requiring the NYPD Communications Division to notify its Operations Division about any 911 calls or requests involving federal immigration authorities.
police and law enforcement, new york city, immigrant rights, zohran mamdani, sanctuary cities
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