US Supertankers Navigate into the Gulf despite the Blockade
A second supertanker sanctioned by the U.S. has navigated through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf, according to shipping data, despite a U.S. blockade on ships going to Iranian ports.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the blockade on Sunday following unsuccessful peace negotiations over the weekend in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. Central Command announced on X that 10 ships have been redirected and no vessels have breached since the blockade began on Monday.
However, Iran's Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday that an Iranian supertanker under U.S. sanctions navigated the strait heading to Iran's Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. Fars did not disclose the identity of the tanker or provide additional information about its journey.
The vacant Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) RHN sailed into the Gulf on Wednesday, according to data from LSEG and Kpler. The destination of the VLCC, which can transport 2 million barrels of oil, was not immediately obvious.
The tanker’s arrival in the Gulf occurs one day after the U.S.-sanctioned VLCC Alicia navigated through the Strait of Hormuz. Kpler data indicated that the Alicia is on its way to Iraq.
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Data from Kpler indicates that both tankers have transported Iranian oil in recent years.
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Ships that were compelled to return include the U.S.-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which came back to the Gulf on Wednesday, a day after departing
The U.S. has cautioned it might impose secondary sanctions on purchasers of Iranian oil, seemingly to strengthen its position before further negotiations, shortly after Washington eased the enforcement of certain energy sanctions on Iran.
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Iran might contemplate permitting vessels to navigate unimpeded through the Omani area of the Strait of Hormuz without fear of attack, as part of proposals presented in talks with the U.S., contingent on reaching an agreement to avert renewed hostilities, according to reports.