At least two U.S.-sanctioned VLCCs have transited into the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, despite the ongoing naval blockade targeting vessels linked to Iranian trade.
According to vessel tracking data, the supertanker RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday, a day after another sanctioned VLCC, Alicia, passed through the Strait. Both vessels have a history of transporting Iranian oil.
The development comes even as U.S. Central Command insists the blockade is holding, stating that multiple vessels have been forced to turn back. Officials say at least 10 ships have complied with orders since the operation began.
Still, the continued movement of sanctioned tonnage points to a more complex reality at sea. Analysts note that while some operators comply, others test enforcement limits or adjust routes in real time.
This assessment is echoed by maritime intelligence firm Windward, which describes the current environment as a mix of “active enforcement, partial compliance, and ongoing evasion.” Vessel behavior ranges from turnarounds and delays to continued transit under elevated risk.
At the same time, tensions are rising on the geopolitical front. Iranian officials have warned on Wednesday that the situation could escalate well beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Senior military figures have threatened to disrupt shipping across the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and even the Red Sea if the blockade remains in place.
Such warnings underline the broader stakes for global energy markets. While the blockade is expected to curb Iran’s crude exports, the country may sustain production in the short term by relying on onshore storage.
