U.S. Blockade Tightens at Hormuz as Some Iran‑Linked Ships Get Through

Overview

• The U.S. blockade that began Monday has forced 14 vessels to reverse course, U.S. Central Command said.
• LSEG tracked only two ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, showing traffic has slowed to a near standstill.
• MarineTraffic data showed sanctioned cargo ships Zaynar 2 and Neshat crossing into the Gulf toward Iranian ports.
• Two sanctioned supertankers, RHN and Alicia, used Iran’s coastal route and sailed west with their destination listed as “For Order.”
• Maritime analysts reported ships pausing, turning back, and also reaching and leaving Iranian ports, calling the picture confused.