A Chinese-owned tanker under U.S. sanctions has passed the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports that began on Monday.

Citing data from Kpler and MarineTraffic, Reuters reported that the vessel had traversed the chokepoint earlier today. Owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd., the vessel, Rich Starry, became a target for U.S. sanctions because it was used to transport Iranian crude.

The Rich Starry is loaded with 250,000 barrels of methanol that it loaded at the Emirati port of Hamriyah, according to the data. It could be that fact that has ensured the unobstructed passage of the vessel, despite the sanctions. The U.S. Central Command said the blockade would only cover Iranian ports and traffic to and from them.

  • Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works
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    15 hours ago

    Or the US didn’t want to start shit with China.

    Interesting that they are only blocking traffic to and from Iranian ports.

    • acargitz@lemmy.ca
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      13 hours ago

      It was a first probe. I look forward to when Chinese ships go back and forth to Iranian ports and the US has to decide if they are going to start WW3 for the ego of a narcissistic dotard.

    • Tarambor@lemmy.world
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      14 hours ago

      It’s not because of that, it’s because it’s not a blockade but merely Trump bluster. Turns out that the US Navy actually isn’t operating in the Strait of Hormuz for fear of being attacked by the missiles and Iranian Navy Trump said he 100% destroyed but is in fact operating in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean. Well that’s a massive area, far too big for the US Navy to police on it’s own and with GPS location spoofing it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cp9vm5ezxz4t

      • magnue@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        True we’d be so fucked without nukes. Although that can all change the very moment someone uses one. Then we’re most definitely fucked because of nukes.