Maritime Cook Islands has been identified as a key facilitator in the evasion of sanctions by Russia and Iran, as more than 30 oil tankers suspected of smuggling fuel from these countries have used its registry to disguise their activities.The registry has seen its revenues from registration fees surge over 400% in the past five years and is linked to controversial operations involving a UAE-based shipping company, the so-called Russian "phantom fleet," and legal disputes regarding the vessel named Eagle S and its crew.