A tanker linked to China, which is under US sanctions, has navigated the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman despite Washington’s blockade, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) began a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, fulfilling US President Donald Trump’s order following the failure of talks between Washington and Tehran.
This reportedly marked the tanker’s second attempt to pass through the Strait. Its initial attempt halted as the US blockade took effect on Monday, after which the vessel was forced to turn back, but repeated the attempt a few hours later, according to the report.
The Rich Starry tanker, formerly known as Full Star, reportedly drew US sanctions in 2023 for aiding Tehran’s evasion of energy restrictions.
Another tanker, Elpis, was also transiting to the Gulf of Oman during the blockade, Bloomberg reported.
Last year, the US reportedly sanctioned it under its prior name, Chamtang, over ties to Iranian oil trade.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.
The escalation around Iran has led to the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for deliveries of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf countries to the global market, and has also affected the level of oil exports and production in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has not been reopened yet despite the two-week ceasefire announced by Trump last week.
