Iranian supertanker reached Iranian waters via Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade threats: report
A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province. PHOTO: REUTERS
A giant Iranian crude carrier entered Iranian waters after transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade threats, Iranian media claimed on Wednesday morning.
According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the supertanker, which it said is capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of crude oil, sailed through international waters and the Strait of Hormuz with its tracking system switched on and “without any concealment.”
There was no immediate comment from US authorities on the report.
US forces have “completely halted” maritime trade to and from Iran, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday.
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"In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea," Cooper said in a post on X.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/dJxKJcEcmO
His remarks came after CENTCOM began on Monday a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
The command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said the blockade is being "enforced impartially against vessels of all nations" entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The blockade followed rare direct talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending the war that began on Feb. 28, but the negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
ANADOLU AGENCY with input from Reuters