April 3, 2026

Russia stated that its tankers will pass through the Strait of Hormuz. After this, activity of sanctioned ships in the strait increased.

Over the past 24 hours, 12 tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, "Novaya Gazeta Europe" found out by analyzing data from the Strait of Hormuz web map and the Vessel Finder ship tracker. The throughput of the strait has significantly increased over the last five days. On March 25, four tankers passed through it, and on March 30, only three vessels. According to information from the Vessel Finder service, at least eight ships under American sanctions are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz: Sakai (flag of Botswana), Star Line (Curacao), Royal H (Malawi), Pacific Explorer (Mali), Avon (Comoros), Gas Bella (Guinea), Elpis (Comoros), and Uma (Guinea). Almost all tankers came under restrictions due to the transportation of Iranian oil, as well as in the framework of the fight against terrorism. The remaining vessels passing through the strait that are not under sanctions are associated with India or China. At least five tankers associated with the Russian "shadow fleet" are currently located near the strait. They are likely awaiting permission to cross Iranian waters. According to "Izvestia," Iranian authorities will allow three Russian vessels to pass in the near future. On the evening of April 2, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open for Russian ships. As Bloomberg writes, ships not associated with the US and Israel can pass through the strait if they pay duties in yuan and cryptocurrency and fly the flag of a country friendly to Tehran. The most "safe" route is considered the northern route through Iranian waters, where ships are escorted by the IRGC – a French container ship recently sailed through it. This vessel became the first European ship to cross the strait since the beginning of the war in the Middle East. The second route runs through Omani waters; three LNG tankers belonging to Oman passed through it on April 2. Bloomberg writes that Iran is currently developing a protocol with this country for monitoring ship traffic through the strait.