A luxury yacht associated with a sanctioned Russian billionaire has passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran’s closure of the waterway.
The vessel, named Nord, is reportedly connected to Russian steel magnate Alexey Mordashov. It was monitored traversing the waterway over the weekend – a route that is typically avoided due to ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. Tracking data indicates that the 465-foot yacht, valued at over £368 million, left a marina in Dubai on Friday afternoon.
Following its journey through the volatile strait early Saturday, the yacht arrived in Muscat on Sunday morning, according to MarineTraffic. The circumstances surrounding the yacht’s clearance to navigate the strait remain unclear. Iran has imposed strict limitations on passage through the corridor since February, which usually handles a significant portion of the world’s oil supply.
A spokesperson for Mordashov declined to provide a comment. With the uneasy truce between Washington and Tehran in place, only a few vessels, primarily commercial carriers, have been undertaking the voyage each day. Prior to the eruption of hostilities in February, between 125 and 140 ships would transit through the area daily.
In response to the conflict, the US has enforced a blockade targeting Iranian ports, further restricting maritime traffic in the region. Moscow and Tehran, traditional allies, have deepened their cooperation in recent years, notably through a 2025 agreement enhancing intelligence and security collaboration.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Russia on Monday for discussions with President Vladimir Putin, following mediation efforts in Pakistan and Oman over the weekend.
Although oligarch Mordashov is not officially listed as the owner of the yacht, shipping data and Russian corporate records from 2025 indicate that the vessel was registered in 2022 to a Russian company owned by his wife. The company is headquartered in Cherepovets, where Mordashov’s steel conglomerate Severstal is also situated.
Mordashov faced sanctions from the US and the European Union following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, due to his alleged ties to the Kremlin. Nord, one of the world’s largest yachts, features 20 staterooms, a swimming pool, helipad, and even a submarine, according to Superyacht Times.
President Trump has responded to Iran’s latest peace proposal but has postponed nuclear discussions until the conflict is resolved as the stalemate persists. Trump is reportedly dissatisfied with the proposal as it does not address his concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear aspirations. This decision follows consultations with his top national security advisors.
Iranian sources have indicated that the new proposal would defer nuclear talks until the end of the conflict. The regime has suggested a three-step plan to resolve the situation, including halting attacks by the US and Israel on Iran and lifting naval blockades. Currently, Iran is preventing vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
