Iran Bypasses US Blockade: New Route Through Strait of Hormuz

Two Iranian vessels have successfully sailed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, despite ongoing U.S. sanctions. The G Summer, a liquefied petroleum gas tanker, and the oil tanker Hong Lu took a new route from the United Arab Emirates. This maneuver comes during a third day of a U.S. blockade that has significantly slowed traffic in the area. The G Summer entered the Persian Gulf late on April 15, followed closely by the Hong Lu, which is now heading towards Basra, Iraq. Earlier, a bulk carrier named Rosalina also navigated this unusual route to deliver food to Iran. While the U.S. Central Command reported that no ships have breached the blockade, ship tracking data shows that 11 merchant vessels passed through on Tuesday, down from an average of 16 before the blockade began. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, where crews must now undergo inspections from multiple navies to ensure safe passage. This matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global oil trade, and disruptions can impact energy prices worldwide.