An Iranian cargo vessel is currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz despite the US blocking Iranian ports along this vital trade route, as reported by various sources.
The Shoja 2 cargo ship set sail from the Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The vessel is said to be en route to the Port of Kandla in India.
The movement through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted following Iran’s closure of the route in response to joint US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28. Despite a temporary ceasefire, the US has initiated a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait to pressure Iran to reopen the route and fulfill peace negotiation terms.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil trade passes through the vital Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the strait has caused significant disruptions in global markets and a surge in oil prices.
Recently released footage by the US Central Command captured the moment US marines boarded an Iranian tanker after reportedly causing damage to its engine room. Marines were seen descending from a US aircraft onto the Iranian vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
While there is no independent verification of the cargo ship’s transit through the strait, Al Jazeera news agency has cited marine tracking data from MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics provider, indicating that the ship is currently navigating through the strait. MarineTraffic data shows that the Shoja 2 is headed towards India.
