DUBAI April 13, 2026 – A U.S.-sanctioned oil tanker with documented links to China successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to real-time shipping data and multiple international reports. The crossing marks the first confirmed passage out of the Persian Gulf since the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal waters on April 13.
The vessel, identified as the Rich Starry (Malawi-flagged, previously known as Full Star), is owned or operated by a Shanghai-based entity and was previously blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury in 2023 for its role in evading sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The tanker, which had listed China as its destination, initially reversed course near the strait on Monday when the U.S. blockade took effect but proceeded through the chokepoint on Tuesday.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region following Washington’s decision to enforce a blockade on maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports. U.S. officials have described the measure as part of broader economic pressure on Tehran, while shipping firms and analysts have warned of potential disruptions to global oil flows through the critical waterway, which handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne petroleum.
Visuals circulating on social media, including aerial footage of a large tanker and images of U.S. Navy warships patrolling nearby waters, have underscored the high-stakes nature of the transit. The Rich Starry’s successful passage is being viewed by observers as a direct test of the blockade’s effectiveness and could signal further challenges from vessels linked to China or other nations continuing trade with Iran.
No immediate comment has been issued by the U.S. Navy or Chinese authorities regarding the incident. Analysts note that such transits by sanctioned vessels highlight the complexities of enforcing maritime blockades in one of the world’s most strategically vital shipping lanes.
Life News Agency will continue monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
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