A Chinese-owned tanker under U.S. sanctions has passed the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports that began on Monday.
Citing data from Kpler and MarineTraffic, Reuters reported that the vessel had traversed the chokepoint earlier today. Owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd., the vessel, Rich Starry, became a target for U.S. sanctions because it was used to transport Iranian crude.
The Rich Starry is loaded with 250,000 barrels of methanol that it loaded at the Emirati port of Hamriyah, according to the data. It could be that fact that has ensured the unobstructed passage of the vessel, despite the sanctions. The U.S. Central Command said the blockade would only cover Iranian ports and traffic to and from them.
Because Iran came up with the idea of having ships pay a toll to cross. Trump said “Hey…I want some of that” and Iran told him to pound sand. So now Iran is blockading anyone who doesn’t pay their toll and is civil to them, and Trump is (threatening to) blockade anyone who does, purely out of spite.
Yes…our reality really is that stupid.