Sanctioned Chinese tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade
Tanker was loaded at Hamriyah Port in United Arab Emirates (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Chinese tanker Rich Starry, which is under United States sanctions, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 14. The tanker completed passage despite the blockade imposed by the United States military, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Rich Starry became the first vessel to manage to cross the Strait and leave the Persian Gulf since the introduction of the military blockade.
The medium-sized tanker carries about 250 thousand barrels of methanol. According to tracker data, it was loaded at Hamriyah Port (United Arab Emirates), and it has a Chinese crew on board.
The owner of the vessel, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, together with the tanker itself, is included in the United States sanctions lists for commercial cooperation with Iran.
In addition, another sanctioned tanker, Murlikishan (previously known as MKA), passed toward the Gulf.
According to analytical company Kpler, an empty tanker that was previously involved in the transportation of Russian and Iranian oil is expected to load fuel oil in Iraq on April 16.
What preceded
Yesterday, April 13, the United States began a blockade of Iran announced by United States President Donald Trump. He warned that violators approaching the blockade would be eliminated.
The American president also said that the naval forces of Iran are "lying at the bottom of the sea" and that 158 ships of Tehran have been destroyed.
Earlier, on April 11, talks between the United States and Iran on the nuclear program took place in Pakistan. The sides failed to reach a result, as Tehran refused the demands of the American side.
After the failure of talks, Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that American ships would intercept all vessels that paid Iran fees for passage.
