NYT: Confusion grows over US blockade as ships still transit Strait of Hormuz

Uncertainty persisted over the status and enforcement of a US military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, as ship-tracking data showed several vessels continuing to move through the strategic waterway, including some linked to Iranian ports, The New York Times reports.

The blockade, which began on April 13 afternoon, applies to all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, according to the US military. However, it remains unclear how American naval forces intend to enforce the restrictions, which are aimed at cutting off Iran’s oil revenues following the failure of negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end the conflict. Both sides are currently observing a two-week truce set to expire on April 21.

Ship-tracking data indicated that several vessels transited the strait around the time the blockade was announced, including ships that had departed from Iran, were carrying Iranian products, or were subject to US sanctions, according to trade analytics firm Kpler. It remains unclear whether these vessels were covered by a US Central Command “grace period,” had obtained clearance, or bypassed the restrictions altogether.

Among them, the Liberia-flagged cargo vessel Christianna exited the Persian Gulf through the strait on Monday night after departing the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini. Kpler said the ship was not carrying cargo.

The methanol carrier Elpis also passed through the strait around the time the blockade began. The vessel had previously docked at Iran’s Bushehr port and had been sanctioned by the United States under its former name, Chamtang, over alleged links to Iran’s oil trade.

Additional tracking data from Bloomberg and Vesselfinder showed further maritime movements in the region. The oil tanker Murlikishan entered the Persian Gulf via the strait early Tuesday after departing Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The vessel, previously sanctioned under its former name MKA for transporting Russian and Iranian oil, was not carrying cargo at the time.

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Manali also exited the Persian Gulf on Tuesday morning, with no indication that it had recently docked in Iran or been subject to sanctions.

Some vessels appeared to alter course in response to the blockade announcement. A China-linked bulk carrier, Guan Yuan Fu Xing, made an abrupt U-turn near the strait while en route from Oman and remained in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday. Another tanker, Rich Starry, also linked to China and previously sanctioned in 2023 under the name Full Star, initially turned back before later proceeding through the strait and exiting the gulf.

By Vafa Guliyeva