Three Ships from Iranian Ports Cross the US-Blockaded Strait of Hormuz
At least three ships sailing from Iranian ports successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite the US military blockade. However, several other ships taking that route subsequently turned back, according to maritime tracking data on Tuesday (14 April) local time.
They were among at least seven ships linked to Iran that passed through the strait after Washington’s blockade took effect at 2:00 p.m. GMT on Monday.
Quoted by AFP news agency on Wednesday (15 April 2026), according to maritime data provider Kpler, the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna crossed the strait after unloading 74,000 tonnes of corn at Bandar Imam Khomeini port in the Iranian Gulf, passing Larak Island, Iran, in the strait around 4:00 p.m. GMT on Monday, according to Kpler data.
The second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island around 11:00 a.m. GMT and left the Strait of Hormuz around 4:00 p.m. GMT.
The vessel was carrying 31,000 tonnes of methanol after departing from Bushehr port in the Persian Gulf on 31 March, according to Kpler data.
Kpler noted that another ship that crossed was Argo Maris, which also sailed from Iran.
Maritime analysts have warned in recent weeks of conflicts around the strait that ship signals in the area have been disrupted and manipulated, making accurate and comprehensive tracking difficult.
Previously, Iranian forces had closed the Strait of Hormuz after war broke out following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February.
Then, the US government announced its own blockade last Sunday after peace talks with Iran failed.
The US military stated on Tuesday that their blockade was in effect and that they had stopped six ships from sailing out of Iranian ports beyond the Gulf in the first 24 hours.
Previously, the Chinese tanker Rich Starry also crossed the strait overnight from Monday to Tuesday via an approved Iranian checkpoint route south of Larak Island.
Kpler said the ship was carrying 31,500 tonnes of methanol and heading to Sohar in Oman, according to its transponder data.
The ship turned back while in the Gulf of Oman around 11:00 a.m. GMT on Tuesday and returned towards the Strait of Hormuz, its destination unknown.
Another ship, Christianna, also turned back off the coast of Oman, its destination, around 3:00 p.m. GMT. Its new destination is also unknown.
Other ships that crossed include the bulk carrier Manali, which has traded with Iran in the past.
Two other ships were Iran-flagged: the container ship Kashan, which is under US sanctions, and Moshtari, a cargo ship that later headed to an Iranian port in the strait.