At least two ships departing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday despite a US military blockade, maritime traffic monitoring data showed on Tuesday.
According to ship-tracking firm Kpler, at least four Iran-linked vessels using the route after Washington’s blockade took effect at 2:00 p.m. (GMT) on Monday included ships flying different flags.
The Liberian-flagged cargo ship “Christianna” crossed the strait after unloading 74,000 tons of corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data show.
The Comoros-flagged tanker “Elpis” also passed through the area around Larak Island after previously transporting 31,000 tons of methanol from the port of Bušehr.
The US military’s Central Command said the blockade targets “vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports.”
The Chinese tanker “Rich Starry” also passed through the strait using the route south of Larak Island, and the media described its passage as a test of the US blockade.
Experts warn that the signals of ships in the region are often jammed and manipulated, which makes it difficult to track movements accurately.
The tanker “Murlikishan”, under the flag of Madagascar, crossed the strait in the opposite direction and was empty, according to data on its movement.
Ships linked to Iran are still under US sanctions, and some of them used to regularly transport Iranian goods such as bitumen and asphalt to Asia.
(Vijesti.ba)
