Shipping data cited by Reuters shows that several tankers were still able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on the first full day of the United States’ blockade targeting Iranian ports.
At least three vessels with links to Iran transited the strategic waterway, indicating that maritime traffic had not completely halted despite heightened tensions.
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The report noted that these tankers were not heading to Iranian ports, meaning they were not covered by the U.S. restrictions.
Among them were vessels such as the Panama-flagged Peace Gulf, as well as U.S.-sanctioned ships including Murlikishan and Rich Starry, which continued their journeys to destinations like the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
The development highlights that the blockade is specifically targeted rather than a full closure of the waterway, allowing neutral shipping to continue.
However, the move has still raised concerns about regional stability, with China criticizing the action as “dangerous,” warning it could escalate tensions in a region critical to global energy supplied.
