34 Iran-Linked Tankers Slip Past US Blockade With $910 Million Oil; How Did They Escape?

Despite United States President Donald Trump's repeated claims that the US Marines have complete control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has managed to get 34 tankers through the naval blockade.

According to a report by the Financial Times, approximately 34 vessels have passed the US blockade. Of the 34 vessels that have circumvented the blockade, approximately 19 are Iranian-linked and have left the Gulf. The remaining 15 have entered the Gulf from the Arabian Sea and are heading towards Iran.

Of the ships that left, at least six were confirmed to be carrying Iranian crude oil, totalling about 10.7 million barrels.

Considering a $10 discount, the oil amounts to $910 million.

On April 13, the US imposed a blockade aimed at "completely halting" economic trade with Iran by sea and intercepting ships carrying goods that Iran could use in a war against the US and Israel.

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How did Iran get its 34 vessels past?

According to the report, a supertanker, named Dorena, bearing an Iranian flag, transited the US naval blockade with its transponder, a device that signals a vessel's location and identity, turned off.

The report cited Vortexa, a real-time data providing platform, stating that the sanctioned vessel was one of the two loaded tankers that left Iranian waters on April 17.

Two other tankers sailed through the blockade on April 20. Moreover, several other vessels and tankers entered the Gulf through the Gulf of Oman. These vessels include Murlikishan and Alicia, which were sanctioned by Washington last year.

Iran tightens Hormuz transit, US maintains blockade

Against the US blockade, Tehran has asserted its full control over the Strait. The IRGC has said that vessels can pass through Hormuz through a preordained route and that, too, only after permission from Tehran.

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On Friday, at least 30 vessels attempted to pass through the crucial chokepoint after Iran declared it open for all. However, it was clarified later that a permission to pass would be required.

This sparked confusion among the crew members of the vessels. On Saturday, an Indian ship and a French container ship were fired on by Iranian troops.

Subsequently, the transit through Hormuz has dropped significantly.