A Chinese-linked tanker previously sanctioned by the United States has brazenly passed near American naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring mounting tensions tied to President Donald Trump’s blockade strategy aimed at Iran.
The U.S. Navy began enforcing the blockade of the critical shipping corridor Monday as Trump seeks to pressure Iran’s leadership over its nuclear program. The military buildup includes destroyers, sonar-equipped vessels, and minesweepers positioned along the narrow 24-mile-wide passage, signaling a willingness to confront ships suspected of violating the restrictions, reports The Sun.
Despite the show of force, China’s Rich Starry tanker — sanctioned by Washington in 2023 for its involvement in trade with Iran — traveled through the region without interference. While the vessel did not breach the specific blockade zone, which targets traffic to and from Iranian ports, it moved within range of U.S. naval forces capable of stopping it.
The tanker had departed from a port in the United Arab Emirates carrying approximately 250,000 barrels of methanol. Its route toward the strait, tracked via satellite data, had fueled concerns that a direct confrontation at sea could erupt.
Trump has issued stark warnings about enforcement, stating that Iranian-linked vessels risk being destroyed if they approach the restricted zone. He said the U.S. would use “the same system of kill” employed against drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. China, a key ally of Iran, condemned the blockade, calling it “dangerous and irresponsible.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: “Such actions will only intensify contradictions, exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further jeopardize the security of navigation through the strait.”
Iran has already disrupted traffic through the strait — a vital artery for roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply — contributing to rising fuel and energy costs in the UK and worldwide.