Several oil tankers, including US-sanctioned vessels, have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the first full day of a US blockade targeting ships linked to Iranian ports, according to shipping data obtained by Reuter.
The development comes after Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday, following the collapse of high-level peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad.
Data from LSEG, MarineTraffic, and Kpler showed that the tanker Rich Starry previously sanctioned by Washington for its ties to Iranian trade became the first vessel to exit the Gulf since the blockade took effect.
The ship, owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, is carrying approximately 250,000 barrels of methanol loaded from Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates.
Another sanctioned tanker, Murlikishan, is currently heading into the strait and is expected to load fuel oil in Iraq later this week.
The vessel has a history of transporting both Russian and Iranian oil.
A third tanker, the Panama-flagged Peace Gulf, also entered the Gulf on Tuesday.
According to shipping intelligence, the vessel is bound for Hamriyah port and typically transports Iranian naphtha to non-Iranian ports for export to Asia.
Despite the U.S. action, the vessels were not in violation of the blockade, as they were not destined for Iranian ports the primary target of the restrictions.
The U.S. blockade is aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to export oil, a key source of revenue, while still allowing transit for ships heading to other regional destinations.
Meanwhile, China has criticised the move, warning it could escalate tensions and disrupt global shipping.
Beijing described the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” amid concerns about the security of one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
