Trump’s Blockade Challenged: China Sends Tanker Through Hormuz Undeterred

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising due to the American blockade. Yet, Chinese tankers still risk passing through with cargo, confident that nothing will happen to them. Chinese Vessel Avoids US Inspection A sanctioned tanker flying the flag of Malawi, with a Chinese crew and cargo, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters. According to data from LSEG, MarineTraffic, and Kpler, the vessel Rich Starry will become the first to pass through the strait and leave the Persian Gulf since the start of the American blockade. The cargo was loaded in Hamriyah, UAE, meaning it is not an Iranian port. However, this circumstance does not exempt the cargo or the vessel from detention. The United States clarified that neutral ships that did not dock in Iran will not face obstruction, but authorities may search them for prohibited cargo. Therefore, this tanker avoided such a fate.