Iran's actions of blocking the Strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian vessels have prompted some ships to disguise their identities, indicating a significant shift in maritime safety practices. According to an analysis by the Financial Times, at least ten ships have recently altered their transponder destination signals to present themselves as either Chinese-owned or Muslim vessels in a bid to evade Iranian attacks. This tactic was employed by a vessel named 'Iron Maiden,' which changed its signal while rapidly transiting the Strait on its way to a safer location.

This operational adjustment began following an escalation of hostilities in the region, notably highlighted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's blockade of the strait and subsequent attacks on civilian ships after an airstrike by the USA and Israel. The Lloyd's Market Association reported about 1,000 vessels currently stranded in the Gulf and surrounding waters, while shipping platforms are observing patterns such as altered GPS signals displaying overlapping positions of ships, further complicating maritime safety amidst rising tensions.

Experts point out that this deceptive practice of modifying transponder signals has previously emerged in conflict zones, such as Yemen, where pro-Iran Houthi rebels began attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. By changing their logs to obscure affiliations with specific ports or national identities, crews are attempting to navigate safely in increasingly treacherous waters, underscoring the impact of geopolitical tensions on global shipping routes.