Recent satellite images captured on February 14 and 15, 2026, have brought to light the positioning of three foreign vessels that Iran had previously declared detained, located in a narrow maritime area near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, close to the critical Strait of Hormuz. This area is recognized as one of the world's key energy passageways. Additionally, a fourth ship seized by Houthi forces is observed anchored at the port of Hodeidah along the Red Sea, highlighting a complex regional maritime security dynamic that involves multiple national and non-state actors.

The temporal comparison conducted by Al Jazeera's Digital Investigations Unit indicates that some of these vessels have been held since October 2022, with others detained in November 2023 and April 2024, yet they remain in relatively fixed positions as of February 2026. This draws attention to a recurring scenario of maritime detentions in two strategically sensitive points between the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, prompting an essential question regarding the reasons behind the enduring presence of these vessels in Iranian custody after months and years of control.

The timeline of these incidents began in October 2022, when Tehran announced the capture of the vessel 'Ariana,' indicating that its involvement was linked to alleged smuggling activities. This highlights a broader narrative concerning maritime security and geopolitical tensions in the region, where Iran's ability to exert pressure through the management of detained vessels can serve as a tool for leveraging negotiations or addressing its strategic interests in the Gulf and beyond.