Sanctioned Iranian Oil Tanker Breaks Through US Naval Blockade in Strait of Hormuz
Maritime tracking data reveals that a supertanker listed under US sanctions has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and anchored east of Larak Island in Iranian waters. This occurrence comes amid US claims of a naval blockade of this crucial waterway.
According to published information, the tanker named “Kouba,” also known as “Yuri,” operating under the flag of Curaçao, recently transited the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is considered one of the world’s most important energy corridors, with a significant portion of the region’s oil exports passing through it.
The vessel has been under US sanctions since 2024 for transporting Iranian oil shipments to China. Washington’s sanctions on Iran’s energy sector have continued in recent years and include restrictions on ships and related companies.
US officials have previously claimed to have imposed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, preventing the passage of vessels linked to Iran. However, reports indicate that several Iranian ships have continued to pass through or enter the region via this route.
