Iraqi Oil Ministry Denies Ties to Shadow Fleet Vessel "Binary Star"

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil rejected on Monday any connection—contractual, commercial, or operational—between the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) and the vessel “Binary Star.” The denial follows reports that the tanker entered Iraqi territorial waters and loaded oil cargoes at Khawr al-Zubair port in southern Iraq during August.

Ministry statement confirms no record of vessel

In an official statement, the ministry stated that, according to SOMO’s internal records and available data, no relationship exists between SOMO and the tanker “Binary Star” (IMO number 9380570), nor with its owner or operator.

Link to sanctioned vessel "Cordus 3" cited in reports

Reports circulating prior to the ministry’s statement referenced the tanker’s prior association with another vessel named “Cordus 3.” That ship has been listed on U.S., European Union, and U.K. sanctions lists since late 2025 due to its involvement in transporting petroleum products as part of what is termed Iran’s “shadow fleet.”

U.S. response to shadow fleet activity

The Iraqi denial comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Iranian oil shipping networks. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a multi-agency task force—dubbed the “Iran chokehold”—to track and counter activities linked to the Iranian shadow fleet.