"Two Iranian Oil Tankers Breach U.S. Blockade, Pass Through Strait of Hormuz for the First Time"

Reuters Yonhap News Agency

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Two oil tankers carrying Iranian crude oil have reportedly breached the U.S. coastal blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and are headed for Asia. With confirmation that the American blockade has been broken for the first time, concerns are emerging that future pressure on Iran may weaken.

According to TankerTrackers.com, a satellite analysis site, on April 24, two Asia-bound oil tankers carrying about 4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. These tankers are believed to have broken through the U.S. naval blockade and exited into the Indian Ocean. Contrary to the U.S. military's claim that the blockade is fully effective, it has been confirmed that the blockade line was breached.

The United States Central Command, which currently leads the Iranian coastal blockade operation, has assessed the blockade as flawless. On April 25, the U.S. Central Command reported on the blockade's status, stating, "Since the 13th, U.S. forces have turned back 37 vessels that attempted to breach the blockade." The U.S. military continues to intercept or seize oil tankers or merchant ships attempting to cross the Iranian coastal blockade line.

Iran International, a dissident Iranian media outlet, reported that so-called "shadow fleet" vessels of Iranian nationality are breaching the blockade by turning off tracking devices, disguising the ship's location, conducting ship-to-ship transfers, changing cargo nationality, and using shell companies to falsify ownership and destination. The outlet added that vessels near Iranian oil loading terminals either hug the Iranian coast or use routes that are difficult to intercept to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

There are concerns that if the U.S. blockade continues to be breached, negotiations with Iran could become more difficult. Iran International pointed out, "At present, the blockade functions more as a bottleneck than as an impregnable wall," and added, "While the U.S. claims success in the blockade operation, the current situation may be sufficient for Iran's survival."

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