Tankers tormented: 100 ‘rogue’ ships forced to reflag by US pressure group

A US pressure group has said it has forced 100 tankers and gas carriers to change flags after being suspected of involvement in carrying Iranian cargoes. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) claimed its work to identify and detect rogue vessel operators means these vessels have been stripped of their flags by authorities worldwide. “UANI works to identify rogue operators misusing flags as part of Iranian regime smuggling activities and alerts relevant authorities to take action,” the group said. When the ships lose their flags, Iran is unable to complete sanctioned activities that generate the export revenue that it uses to fund its nuclear programme, UANI added.