Chinese tanker passes through Hormuz Strait despite US blockade.
China had warned the US against continuing to send its own tankers to the Strait of Hormuz to take Iranian oil.
The Chinese-owned "Rich Starry" tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite the maritime blockade announced by the United States. Reuters reported on this.
It is reported that the "Rich Starry" tanker was previously known as "Full Star." In 2023, it was included on the sanctions list for helping Tehran circumvent energy sanctions.
Bloomberg wrote that this tanker's attempt to exit the Persian Gulf in the last 24 hours was its second. When the US blockade came into effect, the vessel headed towards the narrow area near Iran's Qeshm Island but later changed course. Several hours later, it resumed movement, transmitting a signal indicating it is Chinese-owned and has a Chinese crew.
According to MarineTraffic data, the tanker was operating under the flag of Malawi. However, officials from that country have stated that there is no official ship registry in the country.
At the same time, another vessel named "Elpis" also entered the Gulf of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz around the time the US blockade began.
After talks between US and Iranian delegations ended inconclusively, Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would "begin blocking all vessels without exception entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz."
Subsequently, the US Central Command clarified this statement, indicating that the blockade would primarily apply to vessels heading to Iranian ports. It was emphasized that vessels traveling to and from the ports of other countries would not be hindered from moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting in Beijing on Monday with the UAE President's Special Envoy for China, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, said that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz runs counter to the common interests of the international community.
China has warned the US to disregard Trump's blockade and continue sending its own tankers to the Strait of Hormuz to obtain Iranian oil.
Beijing also stated that Washington must not allow interference with the activities of commercial vessels.
