At least four ships linked to Iran have quietly skirted around Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – with China describing the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Trump has threatened to sink any ship that dares to violate the blockade, saying he will employ “the same system of assassination” used against drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea.
The US Navy blockade of the key trade route began at 3pm yesterday and applies to any ships traveling to and from an Iranian port.
Washington has deployed a formidable force of destroyers, sonar ships and minesweepers to a 24-mile-wide chokepoint, emboldening enemy ships to try to violate the blockade.
But so far no clashes have been reported as a result of the blockade, and the four successful thefts will undoubtedly have raised concerns at the White House.
Two of the four ships have been confirmed to have visited Iran – the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, Christiana, and the Comoros-flagged oil and chemical tanker, Elpis.
Flash point
China rejects Trump’s blockade of strait as sanctioned tanker passes through
Dawn’s Crusade
Trump says Pope ‘shouldn’t get into politics’ after removing Jesus AI photo
Christiana passed through the strait after Monday deadlinesailing from the major Iranian port city of Bandar Imam Khomeini.
The US-sanctioned Elpis headed east across the waterway, coming from the Iranian port of Bushehr.
The other two tankers belonged to Iran’s ally China – which has directly challenged Trump’s authority over the strait.
The tanker Muralikishan, which is under US sanctions for Iran-related trade, headed west through the strait after coming from Lanshan, China.
And finally, Rich Starry – To deal with which America has given approval from 2023 iran – Throughout the night he shamelessly moved through the strait in the other direction.
It departed from UAE port with 250,000 barrels of methanol.
China’s Foreign Ministry has been vocal about its disapproval of Trump’s blockade, which has stoked fears that tensions are escalating to World War III.
Spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “Such actions will only escalate contradictions, escalate tensions, weaken the already fragile ceasefire and further jeopardize the safety of navigation through the strait.
Beijing is reportedly taking a proactive stance in the war, allowing some companies to send war chemicals, fuels and components to Iran that can be used in military production.
US intelligence agencies have uncovered possible missile shipments from China to Iran in recent weeks, US sources said the new York Times.
Iran triggered Oil Market chaos was created by crippling the strait through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, and the pump was pumped up. energy Prices in the UK and rest of the world.
A two-week ceasefire started on April 7 looks set to hold tomorrow – but oil prices remain high as the strait is blocked to normal traffic.
And the crafty Iranians appear to have prepared to wait out the blockade by shipping oil out of the strait before the conflict broke out to supply their supporters in China and India.
The US Wall Street Journal reported that 160 million barrels of Iranian oil – worth £12 billion – is already stored in tankers at sea, out of reach of the US military.
The huge stockpile means Trump’s efforts to stifle the Iranian economy will have little impact ahead of next Tuesday’s ceasefire deadline.
But the president said Iran called this morning and they are eager to “make a deal” to end the war.
He told reporters: “We have been called by the other side, they want to make a deal very badly.”
Trump’s Vice President JD Vance warned the Iranians that Trump had shown “two people can play that game” when he launched the US blockade on Monday.
He accused the brutal regime of “economic terrorism”.
Vance is expected to attend a new round of peace talks with uncompromising Iranian negotiators in the Pakistani capital Islamabad over the weekend.
More details have emerged about the failed peace talks, with reports saying the dispute between the parties centers on how long Iran will be restricted from enriching uranium.
Tehran wanted five years while Washington was pushing for 20 years, leading to optimism that future talks – possibly in the next fortnight – could lead to an agreement and an end to the war.
Vance said “some progress has been made” in negotiations.
Iran also wants the US and Israel to stop covering the losses it has suffered because of the war – which it currently puts at $270 billion (£200 billion).
