The media learned about the entry of sanctioned tankers into the Persian Gulf despite the US blockade

Two tankers that were sanctioned by the United States for their possible connection to the Islamic Republic of Iran entered the waters of the Persian Gulf despite the blockade imposed by the United States. This was reported on Thursday, April 16, by the Reuters news agency, citing data from Kpler and LSEG companies.

«Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) The RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday (April 15. — Ed.), <...> the day after the US—sanctioned VLCC Alicia passed through the Strait of Hormuz," the text says.

It also emphasizes that the tankers in question have been recorded transporting Iranian oil over the past few years.

Bloomberg, in turn, citing data from the ship tracking program, reports that the two tankers that entered the Persian Gulf are the oil carriers G Summer and Hong Lu. They, as emphasized in the text, sailed, most likely from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first vessel sailed between the islands of Larak and Qeshm, and the port of Khor al-Zubair in Iraq indicated its destination. The second one was also heading to Iraq, though towards the port in Basra.

Ships maneuvered: how the Americans plan to block Iranian ports

Is Washington able to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and how will Tehran counter this?

Washington began blocking all ships intending to enter the Strait of Hormuz on April 12. US President Donald Trump, who announced this, said that other unnamed states would take part in this blockade. Some time later, on April 15, according to Marine Traffic, the first foreign oil tanker, Agios Fanourios, passed through the territory controlled by the American side. It was noted that the object was flying the Maltese flag.

The official representative of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Bagai, said the next day that the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to the breakdown of the truce reached by the parties in the Middle East. He called this step provocative and illegal.

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