More than 30 commercial vessels heading to Strait of Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) - More than 30 commercial vessels are currently sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz, comprising 23 ships from the Persian Gulf and eight from the Gulf of Oman, according to MarineTraffic data analysed by RIA Novosti on Friday. The 23 vessels, mostly dry cargo ships, are approaching the maritime route from the Persian Gulf, while from the opposite side, from the Gulf of Oman, eight ships are en route, six of which are oil tankers, according to the data. Earlier that day, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that commercial shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz are fully open as long as the ceasefire holds. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in full effect until an agreement with Iran is finalised, adding that most points have already been negotiated. Later that same day, the Navy Command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that, based on a “new order” for navigation in the strait, civilian vessels may only sail along designated routes.