A third Iran-linked tanker entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the first full day of the US blockade on ships linked to Iranian ports, according to shipping data.
US President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a deal.
However, the Iran-linked tankers passing through the strait are not violating the blockade because they are not heading to Iranian ports.
Iran-linked tankers
One of the Iran-linked tankers, the Panama-flagged Peace Gulf, is heading to Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates. Data shows the vessel usually carries Iranian naphtha to other Middle Eastern ports for export to Asia.
Earlier, two Iran-linked tankers under US sanctions also crossed the Strait of Hormuz. One tanker, Murlikishan, is heading to Iraq to load fuel oil. The ship has previously transported Russian and Iranian oil.
Another Iran-linked tanker, Rich Starry, became the first sanctioned vessel to pass through the strait and exit the Gulf after the blockade began. The United States sanctioned the tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, for dealing with Iran.
Sanctioned ships continue movement despite tensions
Data shows that Rich Starry is carrying around 250,000 barrels of methanol. It loaded the cargo from Hamriyah port in the UAE. The China-owned vessel has a Chinese crew on board.
Despite rising tensions, Iran-linked tankers continue to move through the key waterway, highlighting limits of the US blockade.
China also reacted strongly, calling the US move “dangerous and irresponsible” and warning that it could increase tensions in the region.
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