# AIS

Merchant Ships Masquerade as Chinese to Slip Through Strait of Hormuz as Tensions Rise

In response to heightened US–Iran–Israel hostilities, about 30 commercial vessels have altered AIS data to present themselves as Chinese, or otherwise hide their identities, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The manoeuvre reflects acute concern for safety but deepens risks to neutral shipping, complicates naval responses and threatens further disruption to global energy markets.