Over 900 Ships Lose GPS in Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran-Israel Conflict
More than 900 vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz have experienced significant GPS and AIS (Automatic Identification System) disruptions, triggering global alarm over maritime safety and energy supply security. The disruptions come amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, raising concerns over electronic warfare and navigational sabotage.
Over the weekend, several cargo ships and oil tankers reported sudden GPS blackouts, erratic signal behavior, and phantom rerouting. Some vessels displayed zigzag patterns on tracking maps, while others showed phantom landings on landmasses, prompting captains to revert to radar and manual navigation tools. The incidents have caused major shipping operators to question route safety and delay voyages through the region.
Strait of Hormuz GPS Chaos
The disruptions are believed to be linked to GPS jamming or spoofing operations emanating from areas near Iran’s coastline, particularly around the naval hub of Bandar Abbas. These electronic warfare tactics are increasingly viewed as part of Iran’s asymmetric response to Israeli airstrikes and broader Western military presence in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling close to 20 million barrels of oil per day—nearly 25% of global seaborne oil and LNG shipments. Even without physical blockades, electronic disruptions in this corridor threaten to slow trade, spike insurance premiums, and provoke global price volatility.
Maritime Security Concerns
Shipping companies, including major tanker operators, have begun to re-route vessels or delay passage. Advisories from maritime safety groups have urged heightened vigilance and the use of alternative navigation tools such as inertial guidance systems, radar triangulation, and visual tracking in low-visibility conditions. Although the strait remains open for transit, fears of accidental collisions or grounding are rising.
Security coalitions operating in the region have intensified patrols, while regional navies have been put on alert. International observers note that Iran, while unlikely to fully shut down the strait, may use persistent signal interference as a strategic lever to test global tolerance and assert regional dominance.
Outlook
While no physical blockade has been imposed, the signal warfare now targeting GPS and AIS systems demonstrates the fragility of global maritime logistics in times of geopolitical conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains open—but increasingly unstable. The ongoing navigational chaos has become a silent but potent front line in the larger confrontation unfolding between Iran and Israel.
