US-sanctioned supertankers enter Gulf despite blockade

ANISanctioned Iranian supertanker reportedly transits Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade Singapore: A second U. S. -sanctioned supertanker has ​entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U. S.

blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports. U. S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the ‌U. S. and Iran failed ⁠to reach ⁠a deal. The U. S.

Central Command said on X that 10 vessels have been turned around and no ships ​have broken through since the start of the blockade on Monday.

Also Read: Putin to attend BRICS Summit in India, Kremlin confirms second visit in a yearStill, Iran's Fars News Agency said on Wednesday ​that an Iranian supertanker subject to U. S.

sanctions crossed the strait towards Iran's Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. Fars did not identify the tanker or give further details of its voyage.

Live EventsThe ​empty Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on ⁠Wednesday, data ‌from LSEG and Kpler showed. It was not immediately clear where the ​VLCC, which is ​capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, is heading.

The tanker's ⁠entry into the Gulf comes a day after U. S. -sanctioned VLCC Alicia passed ​through the Strait of Hormuz. The Alicia is heading to Iraq, ​Kpler data showed.

Both tankers have records of carrying Iranian oil in the past few years, according to Kpler data. Vessels that have been forced to turn back include the U. S. -sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which returned to the Gulf on Wednesday, a day after exiting. The U.