China-Linked Sanctioned Tanker Sails Through Hormuz Despite US Blockade on Iran

China tanker Passes Through US Hormuz blockade

The decision comes days after Trump stated that the US navy would block all ships going into or out of Iranian ports, in wake of failure in peace talks between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan. But it was added that ships bound to non-Iranian ports would not be blocked, not giving clarification if the Chinese tanker did visit an Iranian port before passing through Hormuz. 

The tanker Rich Starry is owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd; the tanker itself as well as owner were sanctioned by the US approximately two years ago for assisting Iran in bypassing its energy sanctions.
Two other ships – Murlikishan, a tanker also previously sanctioned, and Peace Gulf, flying the Panamanian flag – also transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday; Murlikishan bound for Iraq while Peace Gulf was traveling to port in Hamriyah.

Fifteen Indian vessels Stranded in the Strait

The Indian government has confirmed that as many as fifteen vessels owned and flagged in India are currently stranded in this key maritime zone, during an inter-ministerial briefing.
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said, "We, in coordination with MEA, are trying, putting our efforts to bring our vessels back. And as soon as it is possible for our vessels to sail from theStrait of Hormuz, those vessels will come back. At present, a total of 15 Indian-flagged and Indian-owned vessels are there.”

Hormuz: World's Top Oil Chokepoint at Stake

The Strait of Hormuz is far more than just an energy corridor. Close to one fifth of all of the oil shipped around the world flows through this bottleneck waterway, which accounts for the single most significant chokepoint of the world's energy flows. Even a short blockade stopping all traffic through this waterway-even if only temporary and with exceptions for humanitarian or neutral shipping-will be reflected in energy price terms far beyond just those nations that are at odds with each other.