Uncertainty over US blockade of Hormuz

2026-04-14 20:11:21Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Uncertainty over US blockade of Hormuz

Uncertainties over the effectiveness and manner of implementation of the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continue, as several ships have passed through the strategic maritime corridor even after the measure announced by Washington came into effect.

According to maritime tracking data, several vessels, including ships that had left Iranian ports or were transporting Iranian products, have passed through the strait since the blockade began.

The blockade, which came into effect on Monday afternoon local time, prohibits, according to the American statement, all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas.

However, it remains unclear how US forces are specifically enforcing this ban and whether some ships are taking advantage of transitional periods or special authorizations, the New York Times writes.

Among the ships that passed after the blockade was lifted was the Christianna, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship that had left the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini.

Another vehicle, Elpis, transporting methanol, also passed by at the time the blockade was taking effect.

The ship turns out to have been previously sanctioned by the US for links to the Iranian oil trade.

Meanwhile, several other ships appear to have changed course in the first moments of the blockade coming into effect, suggesting that the American measure has at least partially affected maritime traffic.


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