At least two US-sanctioned, Iran-linked vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf on Thursday, signalling a possible shift in transit routes even as the US naval blockade entered its third day.Shipowners and traders are closely tracking movements through the strategic waterway, with only a limited number of vessels attempting crossings amid heightened checks by both US and Iranian forces. Crews now require clearance from two navies, significantly slowing traffic through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Unusual routes, limited crossings amid tight enforcement
According to ship-tracking data cited by Bloomberg, the LPG carrier G Summer and very-large crude carrier Hong Lu navigated through a narrow passage between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands before entering the Gulf.Both vessels are blacklisted by Washington over Iran links and were travelling empty.Their route, via the UAE’s Fujairah and along Iran’s coastline, was described as unusually circuitous. Other vessels, including bulk carrier Rosalina carrying food and tanker Nobler, also followed similar paths, suggesting evolving navigation strategies to avoid confrontation.Despite these movements, overall traffic remains far below pre-war levels. Only a handful of vessels have crossed since the blockade began, compared to an average of around 135 daily transits before the conflict, Bloomberg reported. No fully loaded Iranian oil tankers were seen exiting the strait, putting roughly 1.7 million barrels per day of wartime flows at risk.
Conflicting claims as tensions persist
US Central Command has maintained that no vessels have successfully breached its blockade, stating that ships attempting transit have been turned back.However, Iran has claimed that one of its oil tankers managed to pass through, highlighting conflicting narratives around enforcement. According to Bloomberg, Tehran might be referring to the Alicia, an empty ship that the US has sanctioned, which entered the area and passed Iran’s Larak Island on Wednesday, a few hours before Hong Lu.The situation is further complicated by electronic interference and vessels switching off tracking systems, meaning not all movements are visible.The maritime standoff comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Iran has warned of “dangerous consequences” from US actions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that the blockade could worsen an already fragile situation.
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Tehran has also signalled it will not back down, with senior officials asserting that control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a key strategic lever. The waterway, which carries nearly a fifth of global oil supply, continues to be at the centre of the confrontation, raising concerns over global energy flows and trade stability.
