Video from 10 days ago from Bloomberg: "How a Shadow Oil Empire Helps Iran’s Regime Cling to Power" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NylwnKcwAr4

    Persian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz/Gulf of Oman: This remains the primary, albeit highly contested, maritime area for smuggling of oil and other goods. Due to the military conflict and sanctions, a "shadow fleet" of tankers, often using flags of convenience (Panama, Barbados, Comoros) and turning off their AIS tracking signals, is used to move illicit cargo. The Iranian regime has been using civilian ports for military operations, further complicating legal shipping.
    Caspian Sea: A "back door" northern route has emerged, with non-transmitting Russian tankers detected near Iranian ports in the Caspian Sea, possibly to bypass the blocked southern maritime chokepoints and evade sanctions. 

Overland & Air Routes

    Iraq and Syria: Iran has established smuggling networks through Iraq and Syria to transport weapons and equipment to proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon.
    Afghanistan/Pakistan Border: Political instability in Iran could strengthen groups like ISKP, who use existing smuggling and foreign fighter networks along the eastern flank with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
    Latin America Corridor: A sophisticated, covert logistics corridor has been established through Bolivia, integrating narcotics trafficking routes to move personnel, components, currency, and dual-use materials, with potential pathways extending northward toward the United States through cartel-controlled corridors in Mexico. 

Evasion Tactics
Smugglers and sanctions evaders use several methods to avoid detection: 

    Using a "shadow fleet" of older vessels.
    Registering vessels under flags from countries with lax oversight (e.g., Panama, Marshall Islands, Liberia, Barbados).