TEHRAN: At least two ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite a blockade threat by the US military, maritime tracking reports indicate.
According to Mehr News Agency (MNA), the ships were among at least four Iran-linked vessels that used the route following Washington's threat, according to maritime data provider Kpler.
The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna crossed after unloading 74,000 tonnes of corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, passing Iran's Larak Island in the strait at around 1600 GMT on April 13, Kpler data showed, Press TV reported.
A second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island at around 1100 GMT and cleared the strait at about 1600 GMT. It was loaded with 31,000 tonnes of methanol, having left the Iranian port of Bushehr on March 31, Kpler data showed.
The US Central Command (Centcom) had warned that the blockade would target "vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas".
A Chinese tanker, the Rich Starry, also crossed the Strait overnight via the Iranian-approved vetting route south of Larak Island.
Maritime analysts have cautioned that signals from ships in the region have been disrupted and manipulated, making precise tracking difficult.
Iran imposed restrictions on the passage of vessels in the Strait following the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression on February 28.
The administration of Donald Trump said over the weekend that it would impose a blockade on Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The US military claimed the blockade took effect on Monday (April 12).
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any military vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz would breach a fragile ceasefire that halted 40 days of intense fighting last week. Iran’s central military command also warned of a broader regional response if Iranian ports come under attack. — Bernama-MNA
