Iran resorts to stealth technology to protect oil boats

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corpse (RGC) tries to find new ways to circumvent adverse effects on Iran's oil exports from the latest regime of US sanctions.

The RGC declared Monday that it would provide its speedboats in the Gulf with stealth technology to help them evade radar detection. It said it would also provide the boats with new missiles.

This came as tensions escalated between Iran and the US, especially in the Strait of Hormuz which is important for the shipping of Iranian oil to outside markets.

"We are planning to equip the RGC's speedboats with radar-evading stealth technology while increasing their speed in order to conduct their missions," RGC Navy Commander, Alireza Tangsiri, said.

He added that new missiles moving at very high speed would be installed on the RGC's naval vessels.

Tensions grew between the US and Iran soon after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic in May 2018. Trump also imposed a new regime of sanctions on Iran's oil exports. However, Tehran works tooth and nail to get over the repercussions of the sanctions.

The RGC navy is far from strong. Nonetheless, it has a large number of speedboats and rocket launchers that can also plant mines.

Iran warned that it would not allow other countries in the Gulf region to use the Strait of Hormuz in shipping their oil to international markets if it was prevented from exporting its own oil.

The American sanctions on Iranian oil exports have an international dimension to them. The sanctions directly affect oil prices in international markets. They also harm the interests of oil-importing nations, especially those who used to buy oil from the Islamic Republic.

The sanctions have caused a surge in oil prices in international markets. Oil prices are now the highest in four years. There are expectations that oil can reach $100 a barrel during the first months of 2019.

All through 2018, oil prices rose against the backdrop of strong demand and worries over offer after the application of the new US sanctions regime on Iran, according to Reuters.

The US has exempted some countries from the import ban imposed on Iranian oil. Iran has, meanwhile, tried to avoid the sanctions by seeking new clients. The Islamic Republic also resorts to secret channels to sell its own oil.