The British Navy is scrambling to counter a new threat as the Iran nuclear deal unlocks a flood of cash, weapons and vessels into the hands of Tehran’s proxies. Sources confirm that intelligence agencies have identified a covert network of cargo ships, known as the ‘shadow fleet’, that will be used to transfer arms and funds across the Middle East. Documents leaked from Whitehall reveal that the Royal Navy has been put on high alert, with patrols increased in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
The deal, hailed by diplomats as a victory for non-proliferation, has instead handed Iran a lifeline. Uncovered financial records show that billions of dollars previously frozen are now being funnelled into the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This is the same organisation that has been designated a terrorist entity by the US.
The shadow fleet operates under the radar, using shell companies and fake flags to evade sanctions. Naval intelligence reports that at least a dozen vessels have already been retrofitted in Chinese shipyards, equipped with advanced communications gear and capable of launching fast attack boats. The threat is not just to commercial shipping but to British interests in the region.
A retired admiral, speaking on condition of anonymity, told me: ‘We are facing a new kind of warfare. These ships look like ordinary freighters until they open their hatches.’ The Ministry of Defence has refused to comment on operational details, but my sources confirm that the UK is working with allies to track these vessels.
The question is whether they can stop them before a new crisis erupts. The deal was supposed to bring peace. Instead, it has armed those who thrive on conflict.
