Four Days of US Blockade on Hormuz: What is Happening in This Strait?

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHERAN— As the fourth day of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports unfolds, the US Central Command has affirmed the tightening of its measures, while Tehran threatens to disrupt traffic in the Red Sea. Although some commercial ships continue to operate and a small number of tankers have successfully crossed the strait, the overall situation remains shrouded in uncertainty, with hundreds of tankers still detained in the regional waters. According to a report compiled by Al Jazeera correspondent Asma Muhammad, more than 20 commercial ships crossed the strait within 24 hours since the naval blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump on Iran took effect, while over 800 tankers remain held in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Bloomberg confirms that 426 crude oil tankers and 19 liquefied natural gas tankers are detained in the area. Data from Kepler, a company specialising in ship tracking, reveals instances of crossings where 3-4 tankers linked to Iran managed to pass through the strait. The Liberian-flagged vessel Kristiana crossed the strait after unloading a cargo of corn at Imam Khomeini Port, having passed by Iran’s Larak Island. The Comoros-flagged vessel Elips—which is also subject to US sanctions due to its ties to Iran—also crossed the strait. This ship was sighted near Larak Island, carrying 31,000 tonnes of methanol, and departed from Bushehr Port on 31 March.