At least four Iran-linked ships, including a Chinese tanker, were seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday — nearly 24 hours after President Trump’s blockage went into effect, tracking data shows.
Two of the ships — Christianna and Elpis — had visited Iranian ports despite the US military vowing to block shipping traffic in and out of them, according to MarineTraffic data.
Meanwhile, the Rich Starry and Murlikishan tankers, which are both under US sanctions for Iran-related trade, also sailed through the critical oil chokepoint overnight.
A ship in Sharjah after US-Iran peace talks failed. AFP via Getty Images
An oil tanker in the Persian Gulf after US-Iran peace talks failed. AFP via Getty Images
The Rich Starry, which is owned by a Chinese shipping company, initially appeared to halt its journey ahead of the blockade deadline Monday but reversed course several hours later and exited the waterway, the New York Times reported.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the US was taking any immediate action to enforce Trump’s blockade.
Anadolu via Getty Images
Trump, for his part, vowed on Monday to fight back against Iran’s “WORLD EXTORTION” and ensure that no one paying tolls to the regime would get through the waterway after cease-fire negotiations fell through.
Falon Wriede / NY Post Design
A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast. REUTERS
In retaliation, Tehran threatened to hit naval ships going through the strait and to retaliate against its Gulf neighbors’ ports.
With Post wires